pane

noun

ˈpān 

: a piece, section, or side of something: such as

a

: a framed sheet of glass in a window or door

frost on a window pane

b

: one of the sections into which a sheet of postage stamps is cut for distribution

paned

ˈpānd 

adjective

paneless

ˈpān-ləs 

adjective

Examples of pane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In one corner of the stage there is a large rig for a light that glides upward to evoke the sun’s path, making the lines of the window panes dance gloriously across the floor. —Christian Lewis, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025

Some goggles are built with multiple panes that regulate the microclimate and temperature of the goggles, reducing buildup even further. —Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 24 Jan. 2025

Most manufacturers create this seal by adding sticky polymer layers between the glass panes. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2024

This centralized help appears on a separate page rather than in a vertical pane to the side, which isn’t very convenient. —PCMAG, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pane, pan, payne, peyne "panel of an ornamental hanging or a curtain, side of a building, section of a wall, windowpane," borrowed from Anglo-French pan, pane "piece of cloth, tail of a shirt, skirt of a coat, parcel, stretch, territory" (also continental Old & Middle French), going back to Latin pannus "piece of cloth, rag" — more at vane

Note: Homonymous with Middle English pane in these senses is pane "cloak, mantle, fur lining or trim of a garment, rich fur or fabric," borrowed from Anglo-French and Old French penne, panne in these senses. Middle English Dictionary groups these with all the other senses of panne, but the Oxford English Dictionary and Anglo-Norman Dictionary treat them separately, as descended from Latin pinna "feather" (see pen entry 3), reflecting a calque of Old High German fedara, meaning both "feather" and "article made of fur" (or a cognate Germanic form).

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pane

noun

ˈpān 

1

: a piece, section, or side of something (as a sheet of glass in a window)

2

: one of the sections (as of 50 or 100 stamps) into which a sheet of postage stamps is divided