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pile

noun (1)
\ˈpī(-ə)l \

Definition of pile 

(Entry 1 of 6)

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

3a : a target-shooting arrowhead without cutting edges

b [ Latin pilum ] : an ancient Roman foot soldier's heavy javelin

pile

verb (1)
piled; piling

Definition of pile (Entry 2 of 6)

transitive verb

: to drive piles into

pile

verb (2)
piled; piling

Definition of pile (Entry 3 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to lay or place in a pile : stack

2a : 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

pile

noun (2)

Definition of pile (Entry 4 of 6)

1a(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 sense 3b

pile

noun (3)

Definition of pile (Entry 5 of 6)

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

pile

noun (4)

Definition of pile (Entry 6 of 6)

1 : a single hemorrhoid

2 piles plural : hemorrhoids

Other Words from pile

Noun (3)

pileless \ˈpī(-ə)l-ləs \ adjective

First Known Use of pile

Noun (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (4)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for pile

Noun (1)

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

Verb (2)

Middle English, from pile entry 4

Noun (2)

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

Noun (3)

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

Noun (4)

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

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Dictionary Entries near pile

pilcher

Pilcomayo

pilcrow

pile

pileata

pileate

pileated

Phrases Related to pile

at the bottom of the pile

at the top of the pile

pile (something) on

pile in

pile on

pile out

Statistics for pile

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for pile

The first known use of pile was in the 12th century

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More Definitions for pile

pile

noun
\ˈpīl \

Kids Definition of pile

 (Entry 1 of 4)

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

pile

noun

Kids Definition of pile (Entry 2 of 4)

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
piled; piling

Kids Definition of pile (Entry 3 of 4)

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

Kids Definition of pile (Entry 4 of 4)

: a soft surface of fine short raised threads or fibers The rug has a thick pile.

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on 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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