sill
noun
a horizontal timber, block, or the like serving as a foundation of a wall, house, etc.
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Silq.
sill
1 American
[sil]
/ sɪl /
noun
-
sills
plural
-
a horizontal timber, block, or the like serving as a foundation of a wall, house, etc.
-
the horizontal piece or member beneath a window, door, or other opening.
-
Geology. a tabular body of intrusive igneous rock, ordinarily between beds of sedimentary rocks or layers of volcanic ejecta.
Sill
2
American
[sil]
/ sɪl /
noun
sill
British
/ sɪl /
noun
-
a shelf at the bottom of a window inside a room
-
a horizontal piece along the outside lower member of a window, that throws water clear of the wall below
-
the lower horizontal member of a window or door frame
-
a continuous horizontal member placed on top of a foundation wall in order to carry a timber framework
-
a flat usually horizontal mass of igneous rock, situated between two layers of older sedimentary rock, that was formed by an intrusion of magma
sill
Scientific
/ sĭl /
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of sill
before 900; Middle English sille, Old English syl, sylle; cognate with Low German süll, Old Norse syll; akin to German Schwelle sill
Vocabulary lists containing sill
Earth Science - Middle School
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Earth Science - High School
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Rocks and Minerals - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“They write words on the sill between them and wipe them off, their palms and feet dark with dust.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2026
The Red Sea was initially connected from the north to the Mediterranean through a shallow sill.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2025
Often it seems, this cosy spot would appear to be a window sill, as ladybirds can easily squeeze through the small gaps around loose fitting windows.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2025
“It’s the law,” the not-unkind super replies — though Alex, now 2, can barely sit up, let alone reach the sill.
From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2024
Peter set the photo on the sill beside the block of wood.
From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker
Sill, Emanuel concludes: “With none of the flags pointing to elevated systemic risks, EVR ISI Strategy continues to see S&P 500 ending 2026 at 7,750, with the potential for a bubble forming at 30%.”
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 29, 2025
In the mountains east of San Diego, a wind gust of 102 mph was recorded at Sill Hill, nearing the all-time record of 105 mph recorded there on Feb. 26, 2020, Tardy said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2025
The piece is now the star-attraction in a new exhibition at The Sill visitor centre near Hexham, in Northumberland, which celebrates the life of the tree.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2024
Sill says people always reach out with funny questions about what exactly they can store.
From Seattle Times ● May 17, 2024
At Fort Sill, his captain made note of Nathan’s faith and vouched that he’d serve as a hospital cleric or chaplain, decently removed from enemy lines.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Inside, chocolate brown wood is everywhere: walls, beams, window sills, paneling, wainscoting, furniture, not to mention built-in cabinets, benches and window seats.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2025
"Even if you don't directly feed pigeons, their droppings on window sills and balconies can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2025
I have so many books, but never enough shelves, so I have books everywhere — piled up on tables, chairs, running along window sills, books in every available nook and cranny.
From New York Times ● May 9, 2024
Snow gently piled on window sills and in corners didn’t melt, revealing one piece of trivia most Hallmark aficionados have long known.
From Salon ● Dec. 23, 2023
On sills, on stoops, on crates and broken chairs they sat tasting their teeth and waiting for something to distract them.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
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