pillow

[pil-oh]

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.

verb (used with object)

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)

1. to rest as on a pillow.

pillow

/ 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

verb

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

2. to serve as a pillow for

Other Word Forms

• pillowless adjective
• pillowlike adjective
• unpillowed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillow¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillow¹

Old English pylwe, from Latin pulvīnus cushion; compare German Pfühl

Synonym Study

See cushion.

Example Sentences

The finale’s script has a lot of lines worthy of stitching on throw pillows, but one of my favorites is when Joe apologizes to Wendy for helping his former military buddies get them recaptured.

From Salon

Even before her recent ascension to CEO status, she was not a mere housewife, fluffing pillows and waiting faithfully for her husband’s return.

From Salon

He pulled what felt like a large sheet of aluminum foil over his head, but couldn’t adjust to lying on a concrete floor and using his tennis shoes as a pillow.

From Los Angeles Times

Now I’m enjoying setting down roots and building a real home — not just a place where my pillow is.

From Los Angeles Times

Inspectors observed detainees sleeping on the hold room floors without pillows or blankets.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cushion 
• padding