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

See Examples For:

panned

“We wanted to tap into the teen nostalgia of sleepovers, and things we always wanted to do at sleepovers, but never panned out in the way you imagine in movies,” said Mathers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

Warsh’s communication at the July press conference, after the central bank held rates steady at its two-day policy meeting, was widely panned by investors and economists.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026

U.S. officials have also panned other EU sustainability reporting requirements and strict new rules for large tech companies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Disney has once again taken one of its biggest animated hits of recent years and turned it into a live-action remake - but the new take on 2016's Moana has been panned by most critics.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

As the camera panned an empty pier, still wet from the afternoon rain, the Spanish newscaster reported that there was evidence of a struggle.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez

Related Words

• scenic