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pan

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈpæn// pan
  1. 1 cooking vessel (n.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    a metal container, usually with a handle, used for cooking food on a stove.

    a metal vessel used for culinary purposes, typically shallow and open-topped with a single long handle.

    Example

    He fried the eggs in a small pan with a little bit of butter.

    Example

    The chef deglazed the pan with white wine to incorporate the browned bits of meat into the sauce.
  2. 2 harsh criticism (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a very negative review of a film, book, or play.

    a severe or highly negative critical review of a creative work.

    Example

    The movie was a total pan, with critics calling it the worst of the year.

    Example

    Despite the universal pan from local critics, the play managed to attract a significant audience through word-of-mouth alone.
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  1. 3 geological depression (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Geography

    a large, flat area of land that is lower than the ground around it.

    a natural basin or depression in the earth, often containing salt or water.

    Example

    The animals gathered at the salt pan to find minerals in the dry earth.

    Example

    The vast salt pans of the region become impassable during the brief rainy season when they transform into shallow lakes.
  2. 4 to move a camera (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Photography

    to move a camera slowly from one side to the other to follow a person or show a view.

    to rotate a camera horizontally on a fixed axis to provide a panoramic view or follow a moving subject.

    Example

    The camera panned across the crowd to show how many people were there.

    Example

    The cinematographer panned slowly from the mountain peak down to the valley floor to establish the scale of the landscape.
  3. 5 to criticize harshly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to say very bad things about a new book, movie, or show.

    to review a creative work or performance with extreme negativity.

    Example

    Critics panned the new musical, saying the songs were boring and the acting was poor.

    Example

    The director's latest effort was panned by the industry press, effectively ending any hopes for an awards-season campaign.
  4. 6 to search for gold (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to wash dirt in a pan with water to find small pieces of gold.

    to wash gold-bearing gravel or earth in a pan to separate the precious metal.

    Example

    The old miners spent all day panning for gold in the cold river.

    Example

    During the gold rush, thousands of hopeful prospectors panned the riverbeds of the territory in search of a fortune.
  5. 7 to turn out well (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to result in success or end up being a good thing.

    to result in a particular outcome, especially a successful one; almost exclusively used in the phrasal form 'pan out'.

    Example

    We had a great plan for the business, but things didn't pan out the way we expected.

    Example

    Although the initial merger didn't pan out, the two companies eventually found a way to collaborate on specific projects.

    Usage

    Almost always used as the phrasal verb 'pan out'.
  6. 8 pansexual (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang

    a short way of saying pansexual, meaning someone who is attracted to people of all genders.

    an informal clipping of pansexual or panromantic.

    Example

    She describes herself as pan and is very active in the local community.

    Example

    The survey allowed respondents to identify as gay, straight, bi, or pan to better reflect modern identities within the student body.
    • pansexual
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