noun
-
a fence made of pales
-
pales collectively
-
a single pale
-
the act of erecting pales
Etymology
Origin of paling
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; pale 2, -ing 1
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.
Even Marvel has recently seen lower box office results for its films — despite critical praise, “Thunderbolts*” grossed about $382 million worldwide on a budget of $180 million, paling in comparison to past films.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 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
He looked at Anya, face paling, then back at the torchbearer.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
