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)

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 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

Related Words

See cushion.

Other Word Forms

• pillowless adjective
• pillowlike adjective
• unpillowed adjective

Etymology

Origin of pillow

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

Example Sentences

For Christmas, she is giving her husband an Eight Sleep pillow cover that lists for $1,049.

From The Wall Street Journal

She also cautions against leaving your mobile charging under your pillow while sleeping.

From BBC

Her graying hair looks like she got in a fight with her pillows.

From Literature

Gets a mark for his first-innings batting, then loses it for turning up on day three with a pillow tucked under his arm.

From BBC

Jofra Archer has been criticised by former Australia opener Matthew Hayden for the "shocking look" of arriving for the third day of the second Ashes Test with a pillow.

From BBC

Related Words

• cushion
• padding