I. par /pɑː $ pɑːr/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: 'equal' ]
1 . be on a par (with something) to be at the same level or standard:
The wages of clerks were on a par with those of manual workers.
We will have Christmas decorations on a par with anything on show at the MetroCentre.
2 . be below/under par
a) to feel a little ill or lacking in energy:
I’ve been feeling a little under par the last couple of weeks.
b) ( also not be up to par ) to be less good than usual or below the proper standard:
None of the people who’d auditioned were really up to par.
The champion was playing well below par.
3 . be par for the course to be what you would normally expect to happen – used to show disapproval:
Long hours and tough working conditions are often par for the course in catering.
4 . the number of ↑ stroke s a good player should take to hit the ball into a hole in the game of ↑ golf :
The last hole is a par five.
5 . ( also par value technical ) the value of a ↑ stock or ↑ bond that is printed on it when it is first sold:
bonds sold at 97% of their par value
at/above/below/under par
The notes are currently trading at 10% above par.
⇨ ↑ par excellence
II. para 2 BrE AmE ( also par )
the written abbreviation of paragraph