pylon

noun

py·​lon ˈpī-ˌlän 

-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

b

: traffic cone

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

• 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

His highlight was a dart thrown to Joshua Palmer at the pylon, perfectly thrown where only the receiver could reach it. —Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024

One pylon supporting the billboard — facing a stretch of Interstate 64 also built atop the burying ground — is sunk directly into at least one gravesite and near dozens more, according to a city report obtained by The Washington Post. —Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 5 July 2024

But what makes the giant iron pylon so irresistible, especially considering its relatively simple construction? —Meredith Heil, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 July 2024

Worthy also received praise from Mahomes in the red zone, running inside and then pivoting back out on a whip route to clear himself for a low catch near the pylon. —Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek pylōn, from pylē gate

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

pylon

noun

py·​lon ˈpī-ˌlän 

-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  -lən 

: a simple temporary artificial leg