Panel is a word with several different meanings. It can refer to a groupa number of people or things considered together of people, a flat part of something, a control display, a legal jury pool, or the act of fitting something with panelsflat pieces attached to cover or divide a surface. The right synonyma word that has the same or nearly the same meaning depends on which sense you mean.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈpænəl/
Easy pronunciation: PAN-uhl (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Use this for the noun meaning a small group chosen to discuss, judge, or advise.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Panel Meaning
a small group chosen to discuss, judge, or advise
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a group of people gathered for a special purpose, such as discussing an issue, judging a contest, or giving advice
Example: A panel of experts answered questions after the talk.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- jury — Works when the group is judging or evaluating something, especially a contest.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Panel
Meaning 2
the group of people called for jury duty
Part of speech: noun
Definition: (law) a group of people summoned for jury service, from whom a jury will be chosen
Example: The court summoned a panel of potential jurors.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- venire — Legal term for the jury pool.
Meaning 3
a control surface with switches, dials, or meters
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an electrical device consisting of a flat insulated surface that contains switches, dials, or meters for controlling other electrical devices
Example: He checked the instrument panel before takeoff.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- board — A general substitute in some technical contexts, but not as precise as the full term.
- control board — Works when referring to a board used to control equipment.
- control panel — A direct match for this sense.
- instrument panel — Best when the panel contains gauges and controls, especially in vehicles or aircraft.
Meaning 4
a pop-up box in a computer program
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a small temporary window in a graphical user interface that asks the user for information and can be dismissed with OK or Cancel
Example: A dialog box asked me to confirm the change before it saved.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- dialog box — Direct synonym for this computer interface sense.
Meaning 5
a shaped piece of cloth
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a piece of cloth that is generally triangular or tapering, used in making garments, umbrellas, or sails
Example: The sail was made from several stitched panels.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- gore — Technical term for a tapered piece of fabric.
Meaning 6
to cover or fit something with panels
Part of speech: verb
Definition: decorate with panels
Example: They panelled the dining room with oak.
Meaning 7
a flat section or piece of something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: sheet that forms a distinct, usually flat and rectangular section or component of something
Example: One glass panel cracked during the storm.
Meaning 8
a cushion under a saddle
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a soft pad placed under a saddle
Example: The horse wore a thick panel under the saddle.
Meaning 9
to choose people from a list, especially for jury service
Part of speech: verb
Definition: select from a list
Example: The court empanelled the jurors for the trial.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- empanel — Direct synonym for this verb sense.
- impanel — Variant spelling of the same legal verb.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Panel Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- jury
legal jury pool
- venire
electrical control surface
- control panel
- instrument panel
- control board
- board
computer pop-up window
- dialog box
piece of cloth used in construction
- gore
to choose from a list
- empanel
- impanel
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Panel does not always mean a flat piece or screen; it can also mean a group of people, a legal jury pool, or a verb meaning to select people from a list.
- Do not use jury and panel as exact synonyms in every context; jury usually fits only the judging or legal meanings.
- Dialog box is a computer term, not a general synonym for every kind of panel.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common meaning of panel?
The most common everyday meaning is a group of people chosen to discuss, judge, or advise on something.
What is the difference between panel and jury?
A panel is a broader word for a group of people gathered for a purpose. A jury is a panel specifically chosen to make a legal decision or judge a contest.
What are panel synonyms?
Common synonyms depend on the sense. For a judging group, jury can work. For equipment, control panel or instrument panel are good synonyms. For the legal jury pool, venire is the technical term.
Is panel a verb?
Yes. As a verb, it can mean to select people from a list, especially for jury service, or to cover something with panels.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.