noun
plural pans
[count] a usually shallow and open metal container that has a handle and that is used for cooking or baking
a container that is like a cooking pan that is used for holding something - see also bedpan, dustpan
Brit :1bowl 2a
steel drum
down the pan
Brit informal
used to describe something that is being wasted or lost
used to describe something that is getting much worse
flash in the pan
verb
pans; panned; panning
to move (a movie, video, or television camera) across a scene or along with someone or something that is moving [+ obj]
verb
pans; panned; panning
[+ obj] informal :to criticize (a book, movie, play, etc.) severely
to wash pieces of earth or stones with water in a special kind of pan in order to find pieces of gold or other metals [no obj]
usually + for
pan out
[phrasal verb]
to develop or happen
to have the end or result that you want :to succeed or turn out well