package noun An object or set of objects wrapped or boxed together, especially one sent or delivered by mail. The courier left a package on the porch because no one answered the door. + palace noun A large, grand residence, especially one belonging to a monarch, president, or bishop. Tourists lined up for hours to tour the royal palace and its gardens. + parallel adjective Describing straight lines in the same plane that never meet, however far they extend. Opposite sides of a rectangle are parallel. + particle noun An extremely small piece of matter, or a tiny unit smaller than an atom studied in physics. A single particle of dust drifted through the beam of sunlight. + passenger noun A person traveling in a vehicle, such as a car, bus, train, or plane, who is not driving it. The bus driver checked that every passenger had a valid ticket before departing. + patience noun The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, difficulty, or annoyance without becoming upset. Teaching young children requires an enormous amount of patience. + pattern noun An arrangement or sequence in which parts repeat in a recognizable way. The tiles form a pattern of blue and white squares. + peculiar adjective Strange or unusual, especially in a way that is slightly puzzling. There was a peculiar smell coming from the basement that nobody could identify. + pendant noun A piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain or cord, typically worn around the neck. She wore a silver pendant shaped like a small crescent moon. + penguin noun A flightless seabird, found mainly in the Southern Hemisphere, that swims well and walks upright on land. The penguins waddled across the ice before diving into the freezing water to hunt. + perfume noun A liquid, usually made from fragrant oils, applied to the skin to give it a pleasant smell. She dabbed a little perfume on her wrist before leaving for the party. + perimeter noun The total distance around the boundary of a flat shape. The square has sides of 4 centimeters and a perimeter of 16 centimeters. + permit verb To formally allow something to be done, especially by official or legal permission. The city permits street vendors to sell food only in designated zones. + persuade verb To convince someone to do or believe something through reasoning, argument, or appeal. Her friends persuaded her to join the hiking trip at the last minute. + phantom noun A ghost or apparition, or something that seems to exist but has no real, physical presence. Local legend says a phantom still wanders the corridors of the abandoned hotel. + pioneer noun A person who is among the first to explore or settle a new area, or to develop a new idea or method. Early pioneers crossed the country in covered wagons to settle the western frontier. + planet noun A large celestial body that orbits a star and does not produce its own light. Earth is the third planet from the sun in our solar system. + plastic noun A synthetic material that can be molded into various shapes and is widely used in manufacturing. The toy was made of brightly colored plastic that felt light in her hands. + pleasant adjective Giving a feeling of happiness, comfort, or enjoyment; agreeable. We spent a pleasant afternoon walking through the botanical gardens. + plumber noun A person whose job is to install and repair pipes, fixtures, and other plumbing systems. We called a plumber to fix the leaking pipe under the kitchen sink. + pocket noun A small pouch sewn into clothing or a bag, used to carry small items. He kept his keys in the front pocket of his jeans. + poetry noun Written work, often arranged in verse, that expresses ideas or feelings through rhythm, imagery, and language. She has loved reading poetry ever since her teacher introduced her to Emily Dickinson. + polite adjective Showing good manners and consideration for others in speech or behavior. It is polite to say thank you when someone holds the door for you. + portrait noun A painting, drawing, or photograph that represents a particular person, especially their face. The artist spent weeks painting a portrait of the mayor for the town hall. + possible adjective Able to happen, exist, or be done given the circumstances or current knowledge. It is possible to finish the project early if everyone works together. + poster noun A large printed sheet, often with images and text, displayed publicly to advertise or decorate. A bright poster on the wall announced the upcoming school concert. + precise adjective Exact and accurate, with clearly defined details and no vagueness. The scientist recorded precise measurements of the temperature every hour. + prefer verb To like one option better than another and choose it instead. I prefer tea to coffee, especially in the evening. + pretzel noun A crisp or chewy baked snack, often salted, twisted into a knot or loop shape. She bought a warm pretzel with mustard from the street vendor outside the stadium. + promise noun A firm assurance that one will do or not do something, or that something will happen. He made a promise to call his grandmother every Sunday evening without fail. + punctual adjective Arriving, doing something, or happening at the exact time that was agreed or expected. Being punctual for the interview made a strong first impression on the hiring manager. + puzzle noun A game or problem designed to test knowledge or ingenuity by requiring a solution. He spent the rainy afternoon assembling a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. +