/oh pair"/
1. a person, usually a young foreign visitor, employed to take care of children, do housework, etc., in exchange for room and board: We sent the children to the beach with the au pair.
2. of, pertaining to, or employed under such an arrangement: an au pair girl.
[ 1965-70; au contr. of à le at the + pair equal (n.); cf. PAIR), referring to the equal exchange of work for room and board ]