par1

 
Pronunciation: /pɑː/

noun

  • 1 Golf the number of strokes a first-class player should normally require for a particular hole or course: Woosnam had advanced from his overnight position of three under par the sixteenth is a par five
  • a par score at a hole: a card that showed 16 pars, one eagle, and one birdie
  • 2 Stock Exchange the face value of a share or other security, as distinct from its market value: the 9 per cent unsecured loan stock is redeemable at par [as modifier]: par value
  • (also par of exchange) the recognized value of one country’s currency in terms of another’s.

verb (pars, parring, parred)

[with object] Golf
  • play (a hole) in par: he calmly parred the 17th

Phrases

above (or below or under) par

better (or worse) than is usual or expected: poor nutrition can leave you feeling below par

on a par with

equal in importance or quality to: this home cooking is on a par with the best in the world

par for the course

what is normal or expected in any given circumstances: looking gorgeous is par for the course with her

up to par

at an expected or usual quality: I can promise that the tipple will be up to par

Origin:

late 16th century (in the sense 'equality of value or standing'): from Latin, 'equal', also 'equality'. The golf term dates from the late 19th century