# pascal

/pæˈskæɫ/ (US) · /pˈæskəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pascal
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. unit of pressure

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a unit used in science to measure pressure or stress.

For teachers: the SI derived unit of pressure or stress, equivalent to one newton per square metre.

- The scientist measured the air pressure in pascals during the experiment.
- The structural integrity of the bridge was tested by applying a load of several thousand pascals to the central support beam.

Usage: Often abbreviated as 'Pa' in scientific notation.

### 2. programming language

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a computer programming language designed to teach good coding habits.

For teachers: a high-level, imperative, and procedural programming language developed to encourage structured programming and data structuring.

- Many students learned how to code using Pascal in the 1980s.
- While modern developers often prefer Python or C++, Pascal remains a significant milestone in the history of structured software design.

### 3. proper name

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a French surname or a male first name.

For teachers: a surname or masculine given name of Latin origin, most commonly associated with French-speaking regions.

- Blaise Pascal was a famous French mathematician and philosopher.
- The lecture focused on the philosophical contributions of Pascal, specifically his thoughts on faith and human reason.

## Examples

- The scientist measures the air pressure in pascals.
- Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 101,325 pascals, though meteorologists often use kilopascals for convenience.
- Engineers must ensure the material can withstand several million pascals of internal stress before the structural integrity of the hull is compromised.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.