panned

¹ American  

[pand] / pænd /

adjective

1. Informal. criticized severely; given a sharply negative review.

   Despite being a universally panned show, the series was given a second season.

2. (of gravel, sand, etc.) washed in a pan to separate gold or other heavy, valuable metal.

   The panned gravel contained 1 part gold per 500,000.

3. (of gold or other heavy, valuable metal) separated from gravel, sand, etc., by washing in a pan.

   The panned gold was approximately 22 karat, which is generally a bit too soft for a wedding ring.

4. baked or cooked in a pan.

   This very stretchy dough works best as a panned bread to support the shape—as a freeform loaf, it just flattens out.

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of pan.

panned ² American  

[pand] / pænd /

adjective

1. photographed or filmed while rotating the camera vertically or horizontally so as to keep a moving subject in view or to record a wide view of an extensive area.

   We especially love the panned shot of our whole family from the photo session at the reunion.

2. (of a camera) moved or rotated vertically or horizontally to keep a moving subject in view or to record a wide view of an area.

   The flight of the startled duck was captured really well using a panned camera.

3. Audio. (of a signal output) directed to one of the speakers in a sound system, to a point between speakers, or, especially, through a continuum from one side to the other to create the impression that the source is moving.

   Any panned instruments will seem more widely spaced than normal, and reverbs and delays will seem wider and deeper.

   The panned bass seems like a strange choice, but overall the mix was pretty great.

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of pan.

Etymology

Origin of panned¹

First recorded in 1865–70; pan ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; pan ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Origin of panned²

First recorded in 1945–50; pan ² ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; pan ² ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Critics panned it as tone deaf and uncreative, and it was cancelled after two seasons.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Every time the cameras panned to sections of the Tynecastle crowd, somebody was in tears, somebody looked in pain, somebody was watching with their head in their hands.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

And who can forget Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” being almost universally panned six weeks before its June 2024 drop?

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Prospectors panned for gold throughout Northern and Central California.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

When the camera panned over to us, Abby passed the mic to me, and I stood.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

• scenic