Pail Meaning and Definition
Pail
Pronunciation
/peɪl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A container, typically made of metal, plastic, or wood, used for carrying or storing liquids, solids, or gases.
Examples
- She carried a pail of water from the well.
- The farmer used a pail to collect eggs from the chicken coop.
Synonyms
- Bucket
- Container
Antonyms
- Empty
- Void
Etymology
The word “pail” comes from the Old English word “peall”, which referred to a small, shallow container. It is related to the Proto-Germanic word “*palliz”, which is also the source of the Modern English word “pall”.
Usage Notes
The word “pail” is often used in informal settings, such as in rural areas or in colloquial speech. It is also used in reference to specific types of containers, such as a fish pail or a beach pail.
Cultural References
The word “pail” has appeared in popular culture, such as in the children’s song “The Wheels on the Pail”, and in the title of the 1973 film “The Pail of Oil”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To dump the pail
- To carry the pail
Related Words or Phrases
- Bucket
- Container
- Can
- Vessel
Collocations
- Pail of water
- Pail of milk
- Pail of oil
Frequency of Use
The word “pail” is relatively uncommon in modern language, but it is still used in specific contexts, such as in rural areas or in reference to specific types of containers.
Common Misspellings
- Peal
- Peerl