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

Caden Piening’s diving catch of an Alonza Barnett III pass right at the pylon — ruled a 6-yard touchdown with 1 second left. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

On a fourth-and-1, Gibbs took an outside pitch to the right and outran linebacker Jordyn Brooks to the pylon from 7 yards out. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

Consisting of two pylons with a stone appearance, it was designed by Lee Lawrie. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Colandrea dove for the pylon at the end of a 6-yard scramble at the end of the third quarter to make it 14-6. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek pylōn, from pylē gate

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pylon

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

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