From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpapa /pɑː/ noun [countable] old-fashioned informalFATHER father – used by children or when speaking to childrenp.a.p.a.TMCthe written abbreviation of per annumPAPA /ˌpiː ˈeɪ/ noun [countable] 1 [usually singular]TCAP (public address system) electronic equipment that makes someone’s voice loud enough to be heard by large groups of people2 British EnglishBBO (personal assistant) someone who works as a secretary for one person
Examples from the Corpus
PA• He once had the impossible job of being PA to Ted Heath in sulphurous exile.• The songs are allowed a life of their own and, dodgy PA permitting, it works splendidly.• Plus, the excellent PA won't give you hearing loss.• Another announcement emerged from the PA system, sending more passengers to the gates to have their tickets punched.• Two players dance to the rap music coming over the PA system.• There was a hiss over the PA, followed by the chirruping of recorded birdsong.From Longman Business DictionaryPAPAJOB abbreviation for PERSONAL ASSISTANT; public address systempapa written abbreviation for PER ANNUMOrigin pa (1800-1900) papa 