panel
B2Neutral to formal; widely used across technical, administrative, legal, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A flat, typically rectangular section or piece forming a distinct, usually separate, part of a surface, structure, or device.
A small group of people brought together to discuss, investigate, or decide on a particular matter; a board or committee. Can also refer to a list of available jurors, doctors, or other professionals.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has three primary clusters of meaning: 1) A physical piece (door panel, solar panel). 2) A group of people (discussion panel, interview panel). 3) A list of people (jury panel, medical panel). The verb 'to panel' is rare in general usage but exists in specific contexts (e.g., 'to panel a wall').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. Spelling is identical. Verb usage ('panelled' vs 'paneled') follows the general UK-US double/single consonant rule for past tense. In broadcasting, both regions use 'panel show'.
Connotations
Both share the same core and extended meanings with similar professional/formal connotations for the 'group of people' sense.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
panel of + [people/experts/judges]panel on + [topic/issue]sit/serve on a panelappoint/assemble/convene a panelappear before a panelVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “be in the panel (Scottish legal: to be a member of a jury)”
- “be on the panel (to be registered as available for a service, e.g., a doctor)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to discussion groups (e.g., 'consumer panel'), interview boards, or control surfaces (e.g., 'dashboard panel').
Academic
Used for expert groups at conferences ('conference panel') or review committees.
Everyday
Commonly refers to physical parts (car door panel) or TV/radio shows ('panel show').
Technical
In engineering/construction: a prefabricated section. In computing/UI: a distinct area of a screen.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The room was panelled with oak.
- They panelled the walls for better insulation.
American English
- The room was paneled with oak.
- They paneled the walls for better insulation.
adverb
British English
- Rare to non-existent; no standard examples.
American English
- Rare to non-existent; no standard examples.
adjective
British English
- The panelled door looked traditional.
- It was a panelled discussion on climate change.
American English
- The paneled door looked traditional.
- It was a paneled discussion on climate change.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The solar panel on the roof makes electricity.
- He touched the control panel to start the machine.
- A panel of experts will answer questions after the lecture.
- One panel of the fence was broken.
- The interview panel consisted of three managers and an HR specialist.
- The car's front left panel was dented in the accident.
- The government convened an independent panel to investigate the allegations.
- The jury panel was carefully selected to ensure an impartial trial.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PANEL of experts sitting at a table that has a flat, rectangular PANEL of wood.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PANEL IS A CONTAINER FOR EXPERTISE/JUDGMENT (e.g., 'the panel delivered its verdict'). A PANEL IS A SURFACE SEGMENT (e.g., 'the car's side panel').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation confusion with 'панель' for 'dashboard' (instrument panel) vs. 'panel' for a group of people. The Russian word is more strongly associated with physical/control surfaces.
- Do not use 'panel' to mean 'a small room' – that is 'панель' in a very specific, dated housing context not applicable in English.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect plural: 'panels' (correct), not 'panel'.
- Misuse as a verb in general contexts (e.g., 'They panelled the discussion' is incorrect; 'They formed a panel for the discussion' is correct).
- Confusing 'panel' (group) with 'pane' (sheet of glass).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'panel' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'panel' is a countable noun. You can have one panel or several panels (e.g., 'discussion panels', 'solar panels').
A 'committee' is usually a more permanent, formal administrative body with ongoing duties. A 'panel' is often a group assembled for a specific, limited purpose like a discussion, interview, or one-off investigation.
Yes, but it is less common and has a specific meaning: 'to cover or decorate a wall with panels' (e.g., 'They panelled the library in mahogany'). It is not used to mean 'to form a discussion group'.
In the UK and similar systems, it means a doctor or consultant is registered and available to see patients under a particular health service or insurance scheme (e.g., 'Is this dentist on your insurance panel?').
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