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paling

American  
[pey-ling] / ˈpeɪ lɪŋ /

noun

  1. Also called paling fencepicket fence.

  2. a pale or picket for a fence.

  3. pales collectively.

  4. the act of building a fence with pales.


paling British  
/ ˈpeɪlɪŋ /

noun

  1. a fence made of pales

  2. pales collectively

  3. a single pale

  4. the act of erecting pales

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of paling

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at pale 2, -ing 1

Vocabulary lists containing paling

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.

See Examples For:

That said, the approach adds texture to a film set during Carnival, the festival’s vibrancy paling in comparison to the creative exuberance on display.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 5, 2025

What, you might ask, prompted this remark from the paling former personality?

From Salon Feb. 25, 2023

But each of those fines was for just $6,949, paling in comparison to what Metcalf received for the incident with Baynes, and speaking to how the NFL views any verbal offenses directed at officials.

From Seattle Times Nov. 22, 2022

Free agency is in its infancy in MLS, paling in the impact and intrigue that grips the NBA, NFL and MLB.

From Washington Post Mar. 1, 2019

Every now and then I would grab the paling of one of the picket fences lining the street to steady myself against the wind.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

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