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

Seconds after takeoff, the left engine and its pylon separated from the wing, causing the plane to catch fire prior to crashing, according to previous reporting. —Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Feb. 2026

Around 200 tons of concrete, 200 tons of steel reinforcement and 12 massive pylons were used to construct the home, according to the property's description. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026

That drive ended with Kittle making a touchdown catch near the front right pylon after beating the coverage of safety Ty Okada, who was filling in for injured rookie Nick Emmanwori. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026

The design was simple and sleek, a regulation-sized football atop a triangular pylon base. —Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 6 Feb. 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