Par Word Meaning

late 16th century (in the sense ‘equality of value or standing’): from Latin, ‘equal’, also ‘equality’. The golf term dates from the late 19th century

the number of strokes a first-class player should normally require for a particular hole or course

strokes player should require for hole

• Woosnam had advanced from his overnight position of three under par
• the sixteenth is a par five

the face value of a share or other security, as distinct from its market value

face value of share

• the 9 per cent unsecured loan stock is redeemable at par
• par value

play (a hole) in par

play hole in par

• he calmly parred the 17th