pile

noun \ ˈpī(-ə)l \

Definition of pile

1 : a long slender column usually of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete driven into the ground to carry a vertical load

2 : a wedge-shaped heraldic charge usually placed vertically with the broad end up

3 a : a target-shooting arrowhead without cutting edges

[Latin pilum]

: an ancient Roman foot soldier's heavy javelin

Origin and Etymology of pile

Middle English, dart, quill, pole driven into the ground, from Old English pīl, from Latin pilum javelin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

pile

verb

Definition of pile

piled; piling

transitive verb

: to drive piles into

First Known Use of pile

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

pile

verb

Definition of pile

piled; piling

transitive verb

1 : to lay or place in a pile : stack

2 a : to heap in abundance : load

piled potatoes on his plate

b : to collect little by little into a mass —usually used with up

intransitive verb

1 : to form a pile or accumulation —usually used with up

2 : to move or press forward in or as if in a mass : crowd

piled into a car

Origin and Etymology of pile

Middle English, from ⁴pile

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

pile

noun

Definition of pile

1 a (1) : a quantity of things heaped together

(2) : a heap of wood for burning a corpse or a sacrifice

b : any great number or quantity : lot

2 : a large building or group of buildings

3 : a great amount of money : fortune

4 : reactor 3b

Origin and Etymology of pile

Middle English pier of a bridge, stack, heap, from Middle French pille pier of a bridge, from Latin pila pillar

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

pile

noun

Definition of pile

1 : a coat or surface of usually short close fine furry hairs

2 : a velvety surface produced by an extra set of filling yarns that form raised loops which are cut and sheared

—

pileless

play \ˈpī(-ə)l-ləs\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of pile

Middle English, from Anglo-French peil, pil hair, coat with thick nap, from Latin pilus hair

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

pile

noun

Definition of pile

1 : a single hemorrhoid

2 piles plural : hemorrhoids

Origin and Etymology of pile

Middle English pilez, plural, from Medieval Latin pili, perhaps from Latin pila ball

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

PILE Defined for Kids

pile

noun \ ˈpīl \

Definition of pile for Students

: a large stake or pointed post (as of wood or steel) driven into the ground to support a foundation

pile

noun

Definition of pile for Students

1 : a large number of things that are put one on top of another

a pile of stones

2 : a great amount

I have piles of work.

3 : reactor

pile

verb

Definition of pile for Students

piled; piling

1 : to lay or place one on top of another : stack

pile firewood

2 : to heap in large amounts

They piled a table with food.

3 : to move or push forward in a crowd or group

We piled into the car.

pile

noun

Definition of pile for Students

: a soft surface of fine short raised threads or fibers

The rug has a thick pile.

Medical Dictionary

pile

noun \ ˈpī(ə)l \

medical Definition of pile

1 : a single hemorrhoid

2 piles plural : hemorrhoids; also : the condition of one affected with hemorrhoids

Learn More about pile

See words that rhyme with pile Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pile Spanish Central: Translation of pile Nglish: Translation of pile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pile for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pile

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pile

Definition of pile

Origin and Etymology of pile

Other Civil Engineering Terms

pile

Definition of pile

First Known Use of pile

Other Civil Engineering Terms

pile

Definition of pile

Origin and Etymology of pile

pile

Definition of pile

Origin and Etymology of pile

pile

Definition of pile

pileless

Origin and Etymology of pile

pile

Definition of pile

Origin and Etymology of pile

Phrases Related to PILE

Related Phrases

PILE Defined for Kids

pile

Definition of pile for Students

pile

Definition of pile for Students

pile

Definition of pile for Students

pile

Definition of pile for Students

Medical Dictionary

pile

medical Definition of pile

Learn More about pile

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