sill

noun

1
: a horizontal piece (such as a timber) that forms the lowest member or one of the lowest members of a framework or supporting structure: such as
a
: the horizontal member at the base of a window
b
: the threshold of a door
2
: a tabular body of igneous rock injected while molten between sedimentary or volcanic beds or along foliation planes of metamorphic rocks
3
: a submerged ridge at relatively shallow depth separating the basins of two bodies of water

Examples of sill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For dusty baseboards and window sills, opt for the dusting brush. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 3 Aug. 2023 On a sill, line up small potted plants or flowering bulbs, then fence them in with wire garden-bed edging, either propped on the sill or stapled to its underside. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2023 The current standard defines hazardous lead dust levels as 10 micrograms per square foot for floors and 100 micrograms per square foot for window sills. Ella Nilsen, CNN, 12 July 2023 Aware that small children spend much of their lives well below sill level, the architects have lifted the floor of the mezzanine flush with the window frame. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 22 Feb. 2023 Inside, the '23 Mopar Special Editions come with shiny door sills as well as mats on the floor and in the trunk that feature Mopar logos. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 25 July 2023 There are a few visual tweaks, like matte finishes for the mirrors, side sills, rear diffuser, and a few other trim pieces, as well as new paint options (Grenadier Red metallic and Ascari Blue metallic). Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 6 July 2023 Courtly Check Enamel Herb Pots This trio of Courtly Check Enamel Herb Pots can conveniently sit atop a window sill or kitchen shelf while growing your favorite herbs to cook with. Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 20 July 2023 Currently 10 micrograms per square foot is considered hazardous on floors, and a concentration 10 times that high is considered hazardous on window sills. Time, 12 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sille, from Old English syll; akin to Old High German swelli beam, threshold

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sill was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sill

Cite this Entry

“Sill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sill. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

sill

noun
1
: a horizontal piece (as a timber) that forms the lowest part of a supporting structure: as
a
: the horizontal piece at the base of a window
b
: the timber or stone at the foot of a door : threshold
2
: a flat mass of igneous rock injected while melted between other rocks
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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