pillow

American  

[pil-oh] / ˈpɪl oʊ /

noun

1. a bag or case made of cloth that is filled with feathers, down, or other soft material, and is used to cushion the head during sleep or rest.

2. anything used to cushion the head; headrest.

   a pillow of moss.

3. Also called lace pillow.  a hard cushion or pad that supports the pattern and threads in the making of bobbin lace.

4. a supporting piece or part, as the block on which the inner end of a bowsprit rests.

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verb (used with object)

pillows, present (3rd person singular) pillowed, past participle, past pillowing present participle

1. to rest on or as on a pillow.

2. to support with pillows.

3. to serve as a pillow for.

   She pillowed the child with her body.

verb (used without object)

pillows, present (3rd person singular) pillowed, past participle, past pillowing present participle

1. to rest as on a pillow.

pillow British  

/ ˈpɪləʊ /

noun

1. a cloth case stuffed with feathers, foam rubber, etc, used to support the head, esp during sleep

2. Also called: cushion.  a padded cushion or board on which pillow lace is made

3. anything like a pillow in shape or function

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verb

1. to rest (one's head) on or as if on a pillow

2. to serve as a pillow for

Synonym Usage

See cushion.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pillowlike
  adjective
• pillowless
  adjective
• unpillowed
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have pillowed
  perfect
• has pillowed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been pillowing
  perfect progressive
• am pillowing
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been pillowing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is pillowing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are pillowing
  progressive
• pillows
  singular 3rd person
• pillowing
  participle

Past

• had pillowed
  perfect
• was pillowing
  progressive singular
• were pillowing
  progressive plural
• pillowed
  participle
• pillowed
  simple
• had been pillowing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will pillow
  simple
• will have pillowed
  perfect
• will be pillowing
  progressive
• will have been pillowing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of pillow

before 900; Middle English pilwe, Old English pylu < Latin pulvīnus cushion (whence also German Pfühl)

Explanation

A pillow is something you rest your head on while you sleep. Or, during a slumber party, a pillow could be used as a weapon. While in some cultures people have used hard pillows made of stone or wood, it's most common today to sleep with your head on a pillow stuffed with feathers or foam. Many people also have pillows on their chairs and sofas, either as decoration or to make them more comfortable. During a "pillow fight," playful combatants hit each other with soft pillows.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the November 1, 2025, print edition as 'Ever Wanted to Bring That Hotel Pillow Home?'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

Zayn did it in 2016 with Pillow Talk, but it was producer Naughty Boy who did it first with La La La featuring Sam Smith in 2013.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2025

The company became successful, performing at the Joyce Theater in New York, Jacob’s Pillow and collaborating with the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2023

Pillow fronts and backs are then cut by hand, intentionally finished 1 inch smaller than the fill to achieve the beautifully overstuffed look we love.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 3, 2023

Kaira had accidentally left Pillow behind in New Haven, and Aileen, the tour’s travel coordinator, took a flight back to Connecticut and personally searched the hotel laundry until she found it.

From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar

Related Words

• cushion
• padding