Definitions for pairpɛər

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

pair^*pɛər(n.; v.)(pl.)pairs, pair

(n.)two identical, similar, or corresponding things that are matched for use together:
a pair of gloves.
something consisting of or regarded as having two parts or pieces joined together:
a pair of scissors.
two individuals who are similar or in some way associated:
a pair of liars; a pair of seal pups.
a married, engaged, or dating couple.
two mated animals.
Category: Zoology
a span or team:
a pair of horses.
Category: Zoology
two members on opposite sides in a legislature who arrange to forgo voting on a given occasion. the arrangement thus made.
Category: Government
two playing cards of the same denomination without regard to suit or color.
Category: Games
Mech. two parts or pieces so connected that they mutually constrain relative motion.
Category: Mechanics
a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole:
a pair of beads.
(v.t.)to arrange or designate in pairs or groups of two.
to form into a pair, as by matching or joining:
to pair socks.
(of animals) to cause to mate.
(v.i.)to separate into pairs or groups of two (usu. fol. by off):
to pair off for a dance.
to form a pair or pairs.
to be a member of a pair.
to match with or resemble another.
to unite in close association with another, as in a business partnership, friendship, or marriage.
(of animals) to mate.

^* Usage: When modified by a number, the plural of pair is more commonly pairs , esp. of persons: six pairs of masked dancers in the procession. The unmarked plural pair is used mainly in reference to inanimate objects or nonhumans: four pair (or pairs) of loafers; two pair (or pairs) of oxen. See also collective noun, couple.

Origin of pair:

1250–1300; ME paire < OF < L pāria, pl. (taken as fem. sing. in VL) of pār a pair. See par

Princeton's WordNet

pair, brace(noun)
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
couple, pair, twosome, twain, brace, span, yoke, couplet, distich, duo, duet, dyad, duad(noun)
two items of the same kind
pair(noun)
two people considered as a unit
pair(verb)
a poker hand with 2 cards of the same value
pair, pair off, partner off, couple(verb)
form a pair or pairs
"The two old friends paired off"
match, mate, couple, pair, twin(verb)
bring two objects, ideas, or people together
"This fact is coupled to the other one"; "Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?"; "The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project"
pair, geminate(verb)
occur in pairs
pair, geminate(verb)
arrange in pairs
"Pair these numbers"
copulate, mate, pair, couple(verb)
engage in sexual intercourse
"Birds mate in the Spring"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

pair(noun)ɛər
two things that are the same and are used together
a pair of socks/shoes/gloves
pairɛər
sth that has two parts that are the same
a pair of sunglasses/shorts/scissors
pair(verb)ɛər
to make a pair, or to put two people or things together as a pair
For the final task you'll need to pair up with someone.

Wiktionary

pair(Noun)
Two similar or identical things taken together; often followed by of.
I couldn't decide which of the pair of designer shirts I preferred, so I bought the pair.
pair(Noun)
Two people in a relationship, partnership (especially sexual) or friendship.
Spouses should make a great pair.
pair(Noun)
Used with binary nouns (often in the plural to indicate multiple instances, since such nouns are plurale tantum)
pair(Noun)
A couple of working animals attached to work together, as by a yoke.
A pair is harder to drive than two mounts with separate riders.
pair(Noun)
A poker hand that contains of two cards of identical rank, which cannot also count as a better hand.
pair(Noun)
A score of zero runs (a duck) in both innings of a two-innings match
pair(Noun)
A double play, two outs recorded in one play
They turned a pair to end the fifth.
pair(Noun)
A doubleheader, two games played on the same day between the same teams
The Pirates took a pair from the Phillies.
pair(Noun)
A pair of breasts
She's got a gorgeous pair.
pair(Verb)
To bring two (animals, notably dogs) together for mating.
The wedding guests were paired boy-girl and groom's party-bride's party
pair(Verb)
To group into sets of two.
The wedding guests were paired boy-girl and groom's party-bride's party
pair(Noun)
The exclusion of one member of a parliamentary party from a vote, if a member of the other party is absent for important personal reasons.

Webster Dictionary

Pair(noun)
a number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set; as, a pair or flight of stairs. "A pair of beads." Chaucer. Beau. & Fl. "Four pair of stairs." Macaulay. [Now mostly or quite disused, except as to stairs.]
Pair(noun)
two things of a kind, similar in form, suited to each other, and intended to be used together; as, a pair of gloves or stockings; a pair of shoes
Pair(noun)
two of a sort; a span; a yoke; a couple; a brace; as, a pair of horses; a pair of oxen
Pair(noun)
a married couple; a man and wife
Pair(noun)
a single thing, composed of two pieces fitted to each other and used together; as, a pair of scissors; a pair of tongs; a pair of bellows
Pair(noun)
two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were two pairs on the final vote
Pair(noun)
in a mechanism, two elements, or bodies, which are so applied to each other as to mutually constrain relative motion
Pair(verb)
to be joined in paris; to couple; to mate, as for breeding
Pair(verb)
to suit; to fit, as a counterpart
Pair(verb)
same as To pair off. See phrase below
Pair(verb)
to unite in couples; to form a pair of; to bring together, as things which belong together, or which complement, or are adapted to one another
Pair(verb)
to engage (one's self) with another of opposite opinions not to vote on a particular question or class of questions
Pair(verb)
to impair