What does a 'pending payment' in PayPal mean?

I purchased an item and paid almost immediately, but the instead of going through it was listed as 'pending'. The seller has not responded to any of my messages asking for clarification.

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Sounds like you paid by echeque, as your paypal payment was funded by your savings account rather than your credit card, and will take a few days to clear, 

Alternatively, the seller has not set up their PP account or upgraded to accept payments for goods sold. 

Go to your paypal account, and look at the payment and see what it says beside it,