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.

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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.

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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

Fan groups have panned plans to charge $150 per person for a short roundtrip to the New Jersey stadium near New York that will host the soccer tournament's final match on July 19.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

As they lined up to play South Korea in their first game of the tournament, a camera panned across the team, whose faces were drawn and tight-lipped.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

The way it panned out is very disappointing.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Morningstar analyst Jaime Katz said Mattel’s digital strategy has not panned out in the decade since company leadership started touting it.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

A reporter stood directly in front of the gate in the chain-link fence, speaking rapidly into his microphone as the cameraperson panned around him.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Related Words

• scenic