pail

noun

ˈpāl 

1

: a usually cylindrical container with a handle : bucket

a milk pail

2

: the quantity that a pail contains

a pail of water

pailful

ˈpāl-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Synonyms

• bucket

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

So grab a towel, a sand pail and sunscreen, and hit the road for Arizona's best beaches. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 16 May 2024

Consider a small collapsible pail to help carry water. —John Myers, Twin Cities, 7 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English payle, paille

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pail

• slop pail

Kids Definition

pail

noun

ˈpā(ə)l 

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