sill

\ ˈsil

How to pronounce sill (audio)

\

Definition of sill

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 The researchers detected a 14-photon coincidence only once every six hours, which means that accumulating the statistics from the quantum system sill takes around a day. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Why I dislike what “quantum supremacy” is doing to computing research," 23 Dec. 2019 Homeward bound The step-in height is low with no need for running boards, and the door skins extend below the sill to prevent dirty scuffs on legs and shoes. — Mark Maynard, San Diego Union-Tribune, "2020 Hyundai Palisade: move-in ready at $50,000," 19 Oct. 2019 The incident is sill being investigated, said MCPSS official. — Christopher Harress | Charress@al.com, al, "Social media gun post causes alarm among Theodore High School parents," 30 Oct. 2019 In 2014, Facilities Management replaced drywall and caulked window sills with waterproof sealant to address moisture problems, according to a statement from the facilities department. — Washington Post, "Allergies, rashes and sinus headaches: U-Md. professors have been dealing with mold for years," 6 Oct. 2019 The concrete sill that is cracked in the Bonneville Dam is similar to a rubber threshold on the bottom of a door. — Gillian Flaccus, The Seattle Times, "Broken Columbia River barge lock means commerce chokehold," 10 Sep. 2019 Just as that rubber strip creates a seal to keep cold air and moisture from leaking in under the door, the concrete sill meets up with the lock’s gate and creates a seal to keep water in the lock. — Gillian Flaccus, The Seattle Times, "Broken Columbia River barge lock means commerce chokehold," 10 Sep. 2019 Floral garlands adorn the furniture and window sills as an homage to flowers that bloom in the South. — Jessica Villagomez, chicagotribune.com, "Family fights to remain in Austin neighborhood’s iconic pink house," 24 July 2019 Cullan Brown, a standout golfer at Kentucky who is battling bone cancer, sill finds a way to make people smile. — Beth Ann Nichols, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky golfer Cullan Brown is fighting bone cancer, and joy is his 'secret weapon'," 10 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about sill

Dictionary Entries near sill

Statistics for sill

Last Updated

9 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Sill.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sill. Accessed 18 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for sill

sill

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sill

: the shelf at the bottom of a window frame

: a piece of wood, metal, or stone at the bottom of a doorframe

: the part of the frame of a car that is directly under its doors

See the full definition for sill in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sill

\ ˈsil

\

Kids Definition of sill

1 : a heavy horizontal piece (as of wood) that forms the bottom part of a window frame or a doorway

2 : a horizontal supporting piece at the base of a structure

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

vicarious

experienced by way of someone else

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.