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1

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
b
[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

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

2

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
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Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

Phrases Related to PILE

Related Phrases

PILE Defined for Kids

1

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
2

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
3

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.
4

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

  1. 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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