sill

noun

ˈsil 

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

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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

Kids Definition

sill

noun

ˈsil 

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