pail

noun

1
: a usually cylindrical container with a handle : bucket
a milk pail
2
: the quantity that a pail contains
a pail of water
pailful noun

Examples of pail in a Sentence

A plastic beach pail was lying on the sand. She poured a pail of water on the campfire.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Naharin offers little context apart from a silver pail of dark sludge methodically smeared across the dancers’ faces, chests and thighs. Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 One of her chores was to get pails of water from a well. Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 The pail uses dual-seal technology to lock away diaper smells and is compatible with any standard trash bag. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025 The city provides composting bins and pails to residents with a weekly pickup service, and has successfully increased organic waste collection by 106% over two years, LawnStarter reported. Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pail 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English payle, paille

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pail was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pail

Cite this Entry

“Pail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pail. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

pail

noun
1
: a round container that is open at the top and has a handle : bucket
2
: the quantity held by a pail
fetch a pail of water

More from Merriam-Webster on pail

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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