gill

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈjil 

: a unit of liquid capacity equal to four fluid ounces see Weights and Measures Table

gill

2 of 5

noun (2)

ˈgil 

1

: an organ (as of a fish) for obtaining oxygen from water

2

a

: wattle entry 3

b

: the flesh under or about the chin or jaws

—usually used in plural

c

: one of the radiating plates forming the undersurface of the cap of a mushroom fungus

gilled

ˈgild 

adjective

gill

3 of 5

verb

ˈgil 

gilled; gilling; gills

transitive verb

: gillnet

intransitive verb

of fish : to become entangled in a gill net

giller noun

gill

4 of 5

noun (3)

ˈgil 

1

British : ravine

2

British : a narrow stream or rivulet

gill

5 of 5

noun (4)

ˈjil 

often capitalized

: girl, sweetheart

Phrases

to the gills

: as full or as much as possible

a suitcase packed to the gills

Synonyms

Noun (3)

• canyon
• cañon
• col
• couloir
• defile
• flume
• gap
• gorge
• gulch
• gulf
• kloof [South African]
• linn [chiefly Scottish]
• notch
• pass
• ravine
• saddle

Noun (4)

• gal
• girl
• girlfriend
• inamorata
• lady
• ladylove
• old lady
• woman

Examples of gill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These adorable and aquatic salamanders resemble cheerful Muppets with their wide eyes and frilly gills. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024

But perhaps more tantalizingly, a partial set of jaws and gills of this species still rests within Mammoth Cave, too fragile for excavation. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024

Pumpkinseed have bright blue, spider web-like markings on their faces and gill plates. —Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024

Researchers have found that iron and aluminum on fish gills hinder respiration. —Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 19 Dec. 2023

Holding a mushroom in one hand, use a spoon to gently scrape the gills from the underside of the portobello mushroom cap; discard the gills. —Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2023

One heart pumps blood throughout the body and the other two move blood to the gills, according to the nonprofit National Wildlife Federation. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

There would also be gift bags stuffed to the gills with makeup provided by Essence Cosmetics. —Dianna Mazzone Singh, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024

Stay Here: San Sebastián is packed to the gills with smart city hotels. —Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English gille, from Medieval Latin gillus, from Late Latin gillo, gello water pot

Noun (2)

Middle English gile, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish gäl gill, Old Norse gjǫlnar lips; akin to Greek chelynē lip, jawbone

Noun (3)

Middle English gille, from Old Norse gil; akin to Old High German gil hernia

Noun (4)

Middle English, from Gill, nickname for Gillian

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1884, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (4)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gill

• gill arch
• gill cleft
• gill cover
• gill net
• gill raker
• gill slit

Kids Definition

gill

1 of 2 noun

ˈjil 

: a unit of liquid capacity equal to four fluid ounces see measure

gill

2 of 2 noun

ˈgil 

1

: an organ (as of a fish) of thin plates or threadlike processes for obtaining oxygen from water

2

: the flesh under or about the chin or jaws

—usually used in plural

3

: one of the plates arranged in a circle and forming the undersurface of the cap of a mushroom

Medical Definition

gill

1 of 2 noun

ˈjil 

: either of two units of capacity:

a

: a British unit equal to ¹/₄ imperial pint or 8.669 cubic inches

b

: a United States liquid unit equal to ¹/₄ United States liquid pint or 7.218 cubic inches

gill

2 of 2 noun

ˈgil 

1

: an organ (as of a fish) for obtaining oxygen from water

2

: one of the radiating plates forming the undersurface of the cap of a mushroom

gilled

ˈgild 

adjective