Meaning & use
panels
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“panels” is a form of “panel”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Flat, usually rectangular sections that form part of a door, wall, ceiling or machine.
Grammar: Plural countable noun: wooden panels, glass panels.
Patterns
- panels of something
- panels on something
The carpenter fitted oak panels along the hallway walls.
Glass panels let light into the stairwell.
Several panels on the van were dented.
nounplural
Small groups of people chosen to discuss, judge or advise on a subject, often in public.
Grammar: Each panel is a group, so you can say two panels of experts.
Patterns
- panels of experts
- sit on panels
The festival had three panels on climate and farming.
Interview panels often include a manager and a future colleague.
Review panels decided which projects would get funding.
nounplural
Devices that capture sunlight to make electricity, usually written as solar panels.
Grammar: Almost always preceded by solar: install solar panels.
Patterns
- solar panels
They put solar panels on the barn roof.
Cleaning the panels twice a year improves their output.
Cheaper panels have made home energy more affordable.
Word forms
| singular | panel |
|---|
Common combinations
- solar panels
- The school saved money after installing solar panels.
- expert panels
- Expert panels reviewed the new safety guidelines.
- wall panels
- Acoustic wall panels reduced the echo in the studio.
- control panels
- The engineer checked the control panels for fault lights.
- panel discussions
- Panel discussions filled the second day of the conference.
Synonyms and how they differ
- boards
- Boards are flat slabs, but panels are usually framed or fitted into a larger structure.
- committees
- Committees run ongoing business, while panels are often assembled for one discussion or decision.
- sections
- Sections is more general and need not be flat or fitted.
Word family
Commonly confused: panels or panes?
panels vs panes
Panes are sheets of glass in a window, while panels are flat sections of many materials.
Practice
The conference organizers invited four speakers to three ______ about online privacy.
Choose one answer.
Panels are discussion groups at events. Panes refers to window glass, which looks similar but does not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “panels”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.