par value

American  

noun

1. face value.

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par value British  

noun

1. Also called: face value.  the value imprinted on the face of a share certificate or bond and used to assess dividend, capital ownership, or interest Compare market value book value

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Etymology

Origin of par value

First recorded in 1800–10

Compare meaning

How does par-value compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• par value vs. face value
• par value vs. market value

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

par value

To calculate enterprise value, Strategy adds the market value of its common stock to the principal amount of its debt and the par value of its preferred stock, then subtracts cash.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

And Stretch, its biggest and most-popular preferred stock, hit a record low, trading 25% below its par value of $100.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

Blue Owl Capital said late Wednesday that it had sold $1.4 billion of assets from three of its private-credit funds to a group of institutional investors at fair value, or 99.7% of par value.

From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026

Blue Owl highlighted that the loan sales were for 99.7% of par value, which it said was evidence of the confidence that large, experienced buyers have in its direct lending platform.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 19, 2026

He made an impression as an honest toiler in the vineyard, and was accepted at par value for his manly qualities.

From Blazing The Way True Stories, Songs and Sketches of Puget Sound by Denny, Emily Inez