pail

American  

[peyl] / peɪl /

noun

1. bucket.

2. the amount filling a pail.

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pail British  

/ peɪl /

noun

1. a bucket, esp one made of wood or metal

2. Also called: pailful.  the quantity that fills a pail

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Regionalisms

See bucket.

Etymology

Origin of pail

First recorded before 1000; Middle English payle “wooden container,” continuing Old English pægel “wine container, liquid measure” (of unknown origin; compare Middle Dutch, Low German pegel “half pint”), by association with Old French paielle “pan,” from Latin patella; patella

Example Sentences

There was a pail with a mallet, a small dish, and three cups.

From Literature

I hid behind some large pails until it was dark and quiet.

From Literature

I was relaxing to the steady splashing of the milk hitting the pail when I heard a rustling noise.

From Literature

And then I dart toward a large crowd and swing my burlap sack against a tower of stacked fire pails.

From Literature

I roll up the dirty diaper and stuff it in the overflowing diaper pail.

From Literature

Related Words

• canister
• container
• jug
• pot