Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Latin
Origin: 'equal'

par

 noun
     
NEW! See related topics: STOCKS AND SHARESGOLF
par [uncountable]
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) MI 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.
4DSG the number of strokes 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 technicalBFS 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.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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