1
a
: a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b
or Pill
: birth control pill
—usually used with the
2
: something repugnant or unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
3
: something resembling a pill in size or shape
4
: a disagreeable or tiresome person
pilled; pilling; pills
: to become rough with or mat into little balls
brushed woolens often pill
Examples of pill in a Sentence
Noun
She took a pill for her headache.
The drug is available as a pill or a liquid.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Fleece pullovers and jackets that pill heavily start looking worn and tired more quickly than those that don’t pill significantly.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
Wendy Wisner, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
The pills scattered around the bathroom where she was found were not extensive or highly prescriptive.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pill
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show current usage.
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Verb
For a cozy touch, grab a chunky knit throw like this one that is made of ultra-soft chenille and won’t shed or pill with use.
Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum, $179.99 (orig.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Fleece pullovers and jackets that pill heavily start looking worn and tired more quickly than those that don’t pill significantly.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
Most commonly, this happens from hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills, implants, or injections.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
The pills scattered around the bathroom where she was found were not extensive or highly prescriptive.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pill
Cite this Entry
“Pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pill. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pill
1 of 2 noun1
a
: medicine or a food supplement in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b
often capitalized
: an oral contraceptive
—usually used with the
2
: something resembling a pill in shape or size
3
: something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
4
: an unpleasant or tiresome person
pill
2 of 2 verb
of a garment
: to develop small balls of fiber on the surface because of wear
Medical Definition
pill
noun1
: a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
2
often capitalized
: birth control pill
—usually used with the
has been on the pill for three years
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