1
a
: a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b
or Pill
: birth control pill
—usually used with the
2
: something repugnant or unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
3
: something resembling a pill in size or shape
4
: a disagreeable or tiresome person
pilled; pilling; pills
: to become rough with or mat into little balls
brushed woolens often pill
Synonyms
Examples of pill in a Sentence
Noun
She took a pill for her headache.
The drug is available as a pill or a liquid.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
The 100% polyester microfleece lining is super soft and won’t pill after washing.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 12 Feb. 2024
And wool, as another example, tends to pill over time, no matter how high quality the wool is.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 8 Jan. 2024
What to Consider The fabric may pill after a few washes.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2024
The fabric may pill after a few washes.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2024
Synthetic fabrics and garments made from a blend of multiple fibers are more likely to pill, as are those made with a looser weave.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
The lightweight Berke Hood provides ample coverage but keeps skiers especially warm, and it’s made of sweat-wicking fabric that won’t pill on you.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Keep in mind that, on top of not doing well during our sandpaper test, these sheets had already begun to pill after just a few washes.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023
Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2024
Police also found marijuana, white pills, a scale and plastic baggies used to store marijuana in the apartment.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
Tips for Consuming Sea Moss Sea moss is sold in several forms, including dried, ground, pills, or droppers.
—Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 17 Apr. 2024
My girlfriend's pregnant pills Small box containing a gnome.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024
Many in the life-extension movement are quacks or hacks who peddle pills, potions, and false promises; longevity skeptics tend to see the loss of our capacities as something to accept, not avoid.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Form Supplements for heart health come in many forms, including pills, capsules, soft gels, and liquids.
—Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024
Most birth control pills are up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken as instructed.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Like many of her peers, Candy had reportedly been taking hormones to stimulate breast growth; those pills were probably the cause.
—Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Verb
The formula quickly absorbs into the skin, doesn’t pill, works well under makeup, and doesn’t leave a white cast.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
The 100% polyester microfleece lining is super soft and won’t pill after washing.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 12 Feb. 2024
And wool, as another example, tends to pill over time, no matter how high quality the wool is.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 8 Jan. 2024
What to Consider The fabric may pill after a few washes.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2024
The fabric may pill after a few washes.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2024
Synthetic fabrics and garments made from a blend of multiple fibers are more likely to pill, as are those made with a looser weave.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
The lightweight Berke Hood provides ample coverage but keeps skiers especially warm, and it’s made of sweat-wicking fabric that won’t pill on you.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Keep in mind that, on top of not doing well during our sandpaper test, these sheets had already begun to pill after just a few washes.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023
Noun
Officials have warned that one fentanyl pill, about 2 milligrams, is enough to kill a person.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2024
Police also found marijuana, white pills, a scale and plastic baggies used to store marijuana in the apartment.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
Tips for Consuming Sea Moss Sea moss is sold in several forms, including dried, ground, pills, or droppers.
—Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 17 Apr. 2024
My girlfriend's pregnant pills Small box containing a gnome.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024
Many in the life-extension movement are quacks or hacks who peddle pills, potions, and false promises; longevity skeptics tend to see the loss of our capacities as something to accept, not avoid.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Form Supplements for heart health come in many forms, including pills, capsules, soft gels, and liquids.
—Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024
Most birth control pills are up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken as instructed.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Like many of her peers, Candy had reportedly been taking hormones to stimulate breast growth; those pills were probably the cause.
—Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pill
Cite this Entry
“Pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pill. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pill
1 of 2 noun1
a
: medicine or a food supplement in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b
often capitalized
: an oral contraceptive
—usually used with the
2
: something resembling a pill in shape or size
3
: something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
4
: an unpleasant or tiresome person
pill
2 of 2 verb
of a garment
: to develop small balls of fiber on the surface because of wear
Medical Definition
pill
noun1
: a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
2
often capitalized
: birth control pill
—usually used with the
has been on the pill for three years
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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