First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1pile
noun \ˈpī(-ə)l\
Definition of PILE
1
: a long slender column usually of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete driven into the ground to carry a vertical load
2
: a wedge-shaped heraldic charge usually placed vertically with the broad end up
3
a : a target-shooting arrowhead without cutting edges b [Latin pilum] : an ancient Roman foot soldier's heavy javelin
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Origin of PILE
Middle English, dart, quill, pole driven into the ground, from Old English pīl, from Latin pilum javelin
Other Civil Engineering Terms
2pile
verb
piledpil·ing
Definition of PILE
transitive verb
: to drive piles into
First Known Use of PILE
15th century
Other Civil Engineering Terms
3pile
verb
piledpil·ing
Definition of PILE
transitive verb
1
: to lay or place in a pile : stack
2
a : to heap in abundance : load <piled potatoes on his plate> b : to collect little by little into a mass —usually used with up
intransitive verb
1
: to form a pile or accumulation —usually used with up
2
: to move or press forward in or as if in a mass : crowd <piled into a car>
Origin of PILE
Middle English, from 4pile
First Known Use: 14th century
4pile
noun
Definition of PILE
1
a (1) : a quantity of things heaped together (2) : a heap of wood for burning a corpse or a sacrifice b : any great number or quantity : lot
2
: a large building or group of buildings
3
: a great amount of money : fortune
4
: reactor 3b
Origin of PILE
Middle English pier of a bridge, stack, heap, from Middle French pille pier of a bridge, from Latin pila pillar
First Known Use: 15th century
5pile
noun
Definition of PILE
1
: a coat or surface of usually short close fine furry hairs
2
: a velvety surface produced by an extra set of filling yarns that form raised loops which are cut and sheared
— pile·less \ˈpī(-ə)l-ləs\ adjective
Origin of PILE
Middle English, from Anglo-French peil, pil hair, coat with thick nap, from Latin pilus hair
First Known Use: 15th century
6pile
noun
Definition of PILE
1
: a single hemorrhoid
2
plural : hemorrhoids
Origin of PILE
Middle English pilez, plural, from Medieval Latin pili, perhaps from Latin pila ball
First Known Use: 15th century
PILE Defined for Kids
1pile
noun \ˈpīl\
Definition of PILE for Kids
: a large stake or pointed post (as of wood or steel) driven into the ground to support a foundation
2pile
noun
Definition of PILE for Kids
1
: a large number of things that are put one on top of another <a pile of stones>
2
: a great amount <I have piles of work.>
3
: reactor
3pile
verb
piledpil·ing
Definition of PILE for Kids
1
: to lay or place one on top of another : stack <pile firewood>
2
: to heap in large amounts <They piled a table with food.>
3
: to move or push forward in a crowd or group <We piled into the car.>
4pile
noun
Definition of PILE for Kids
: a soft surface of fine short raised threads or fibers <The rug has a thick pile.>
Medical Dictionary
pile
noun \ˈpī(ə)l\
Medical Definition of PILE
1
: a single hemorrhoid
2
piles pl : hemorrhoids; also : the condition of one affected with hemorrhoids
Learn More About PILE
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