a broad, shallow container of metal, usually having sides flaring outward toward the top, used in various forms for frying, baking, washing, etc.

any similar receptacle or part, as the scales of a balance.

the amount a pan holds or can hold; panful

a pan of shelled peas.

any of various open or closed containers used in industrial or mechanical processes.

a container in which silver ores are ground and amalgamated.

a container in which gold or other heavy, valuable metals are separated from gravel or other substances by agitation with water.

a drifting piece of flat, thin ice, as formed on a shore or bay.

a natural depression in the ground, as one containing water, mud, or mineral salts.

a similar depression made artificially, as for evaporating salt water to make salt.

(in old guns) the depressed part of the lock, holding the priming.

Also, panning. an unfavorable review, critique, or appraisal

The show got one rave and three pans.

Slang . the face.

Informal . to criticize severely, as in a review of a play.

to wash (gravel, sand, etc.) in a pan to separate gold or other heavy valuable metal.

to cook (oysters, clams, etc.) in a pan.

to wash gravel, sand, etc., in a pan in seeking gold or the like.

to yield gold or the like, as gravel washed in a pan. ?

pan out, Informal . to turn out, esp. successfully

The couple's reconciliation just didn't pan out.

verb

fail , not happen

verb

click * , come out * , culminate , eventuate , go , go over * , happen , net * , prove out , result , turn out , work out , yield , pan