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

The fair-value deals priced at 99.7% of par value as of Feb. 12, according to securities filings by the Blue Owl BDCs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 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

Portfolio managers of actively managed mutual funds tend to favor the institutional grade preferreds, which have a $1,000 par value.

From Barron's • Dec. 4, 2025

Banks can now borrow against the par value - and not the lower market value - of their bond portfolios.

From Reuters • Mar. 14, 2023

Since then I have received bonds to the registered par value of four hundred thousand pounds, which are being sold to-day in New York at eight times their par value.

From Jacob's Ladder by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)