pal

¹ American  

[pal] / pæl /

noun

1. a friend or close associate; chum; comrade.

2. an accomplice.

---

verb (used without object)

palled, palling

1. to associate as comrades or chums.

   to pal around with the kid next door.

PAL ² American  

[pal] / pæl /

noun

1. a special air service offered by the U.S. Postal Service for sending parcels from 5 to 30 pounds (2.3 to 13.5 kilograms) to overseas members of the armed forces: only the regular parcel post rate to the U.S. port of shipment plus $1 is charged.

---

PAL ³ American  

Or P.A.L.

abbreviation

1. Police Athletic League.

---

pal. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. paleography.

2. paleontology.

---

Pal. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. Palestine.

---

pal ¹ British  

/ pæl /

noun

1. a close friend; comrade

2. an accomplice

---

verb

1. (intr; usually foll by with or about) to associate as friends

Pal. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Palestine

---

PAL ³ British  

/ pæl /

acronym

1. phase alternation line: a colour-television broadcasting system used generally in Europe

---

Etymology

Origin of pal¹

First recorded in 1675–85; English Romani: “brother, mate,” variant of continental Romani phral, ultimately from Sanskrit bhrātṛ “brother”; brother

Origin of PAL²

P(arcel) A(ir) L(ift)

Example Sentences

He set his sights on Greenland, apparently at the behest of a cosmetics heir pal.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

For me it began with a text from my pal “Deep Blue,” which initially didn’t seem terribly promising.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Spiro grew up privileged in London, one of four children of Glenn Spiro, a prominent jeweler who counts Jay-Z as a client and pal.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

This was the dream scenario: baseball’s very best, edgy crowd, one-run game, two outs, a title on the line—and Ohtani getting the better of his pal on a filthy 3-2 sweeper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

His tree-climbing pal was Leon, Cecilia was the little sister who trustingly held his hand and made him feel immensely wise.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan