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pylon

noun

py·​lon ˈpī-ˌlän How to pronounce pylon (audio)
-lən
1
a
: a usually massive gateway
b
: an ancient Egyptian gateway building in a truncated pyramidal form
c
: a monumental mass flanking an entranceway or an approach to a bridge
2
a
chiefly British : a tower for supporting either end of usually a number of wires over a long span
b
: any of various towerlike structures
3
a
: a post or tower marking a prescribed course of flight for an airplane
c
: one of the flexible upright markers positioned on a football field at the corners of the end zone
4
: a rigid structure on the outside of an aircraft for supporting something (such as an engine or missile) see airplane illustration

Illustration of pylon

Illustration of pylon
  • pylon 1b

Examples of pylon in a Sentence

The bridge is supported by concrete pylons. a row of electricity pylons
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prosper’s Lathon Latiolais retaliated, heading toward the back corner pylon and making the catch with room to spare for a 16-yard TD that cut the lead to 35-24. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Nov. 2025 After catching a long pass from Heisman candidate Julian Sayin, Smith ran it all the way to the corner past the pylon. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025 The project, known as a gondola ropeway, involves 10 pylons and three stations – valley, intermediate and summit – with 50 cabins seating 10 people each, able to carry 2,400 passengers an hour. Reuters 6 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025 Imagery in the report shows the engine and its pylon detaching and flying up into the air in a ball of fire almost immediately after takeoff. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pylon

Word History

Etymology

Greek pylōn, from pylē gate

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pylon was in 1817

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pylon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pylon. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

pylon

noun
py·​lon ˈpī-ˌlän How to pronounce pylon (audio)
-lən
1
: a tower for supporting a long span of wire
also : any of various structures like a tower
2
: a post or tower marking a prescribed course of flight for an airplane

Medical Definition

pylon

noun
py·​lon ˈpī-ˌlän How to pronounce pylon (audio) -lən How to pronounce pylon (audio)
: a simple temporary artificial leg

More from Merriam-Webster on pylon

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