Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

pailful

American  
[peyl-fool] / ˈpeɪlˌfʊl /

noun

plural

pailfuls
  1. a quantity sufficient to fill a pail.

    a pailful of water.


Spelling

See -ful.

Etymology

Origin of pailful

First recorded in 1585–95; pail + -ful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Pope!” she whispered again, and it was as though he had had a pailful of ordure thrown in his face.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

He went over to the cactus hedge and cut a pailful of cactus apples.

From Yankee Girls in Zulu Land by Vescelius-Sheldon, Louise

When, as often happened, he sent me for a second pailful, no protest or appeal escaped my lips, thanks to my previous training in silent obedience.

From Indian Scout Talks A Guide for Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls by Eastman, Charles A.

‘Now is your chance to get that pailful of sunbeams thy foolish old Mammie Trebisken axed ’ee to get,’ said the miner.

From The Piskey-Purse Legends and Tales of North Cornwall by Tregarthen, Enys

The lads now quickly dipped up pailful after pailful, which they passed to the guide on the bank.

From The Pony Rider Boys in the Alkali or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze by Patchin, Frank Gee