Origin: Greek prefix pan-
Panel has 12 different meanings across 2 categories:
sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
"The installer replaced the broken panel on the washing machine door to stop water from leaking out during the spin cycle."
a group of people gathered for a special purpose as to plan or discuss an issue or judge a contest etc
"The industry panel debated whether artificial intelligence should be regulated before it can be widely adopted by consumers."
a soft pad placed under a saddle
"The rider adjusted the leather panel before mounting to ensure his horse's back was comfortable during the long ride."
(computer science) a small temporary window in a graphical user interface that appears in order to request information from the user; after the information has been provided the user dismisses the box with `okay' or `cancel'
"When I tried to update my system settings, a panel popped up asking me to confirm my password before applying the changes."
electrical device consisting of a flat insulated surface that contains switches and dials and meters for controlling other electrical devices
"he checked the instrument panel"
"suddenly the board lit up like a Christmas tree"
A (usually) rectangular section of a surface, or of a covering or of a wall, fence etc.
"The carpenter installed new wooden panels to cover the gaps between the brick walls and the windows."
In plain English: A panel is a flat, rectangular piece of material used to cover a wall or form part of a structure.
"The interview panel consisted of five experts from different industries."
Usage: Use panel to describe a flat, often rectangular piece that forms part of a larger surface, such as a wooden door section or a wall covering. It refers specifically to the distinct physical segment rather than the entire structure itself.
To fit with panels.
"The carpenter carefully measured and cut the wood before fitting it with panels to create a new wall section."
In plain English: To panel something means to cover its surface with flat pieces of wood or metal for decoration or protection.
"The committee will panel the candidate's past decisions to see if they were ethical."
Usage: As a verb, to panel means to cover or construct something by attaching flat sections or boards, such as paneling a wall with wood. Use this word when describing the act of fitting surfaces with distinct rectangular pieces rather than painting or tiling them.
The word "panel" comes from the Latin word for cloth through Anglo-Norman and Middle French before entering English in the 14th century to mean a piece of fabric or glass. Over time, its meaning shifted from referring specifically to textile materials to describing any distinct section or division within a larger whole.