pantile

American  

[pan-tahyl] / ˈpænˌtaɪl /

noun

1. a roofing tile straight in its length but curved in its width to overlap the next tile.

2. a tapered, semicylindrical roofing tile laid either convex side up to overlap flanking similar tiles laid concave side up or vice versa.

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pantile British  

/ ˈpænˌtaɪl /

noun

1. a roofing tile, with an S-shaped cross section, laid so that the downward curve of one tile overlaps the upward curve of the adjoining tile

2. a tapering roofing tile with a semicircular cross section, laid alternately so that the convex side of one tile overlaps the concave side of adjoining tiles

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Etymology

Origin of pantile

First recorded in 1630–40; pan ¹ + tile

Example Sentences

A quiet, steep lane leads down through fishermen's cottages with their orange pantile roofs to a waterside hotel and the sea.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

It was then clad in black weather boarding and a pantile roof, connecting it with traditional Suffolk architecture.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2023

The roof once carried the medieval "pantile," which is an "S"-shaped clay tile about thirteen inches long, with a nob at one end to catch on to the roofing strips.

From Virginia Architecture in the Seventeenth Century by Forman, Henry Chandlee

He had also a project for the raising of money to supply his own occasions by the establishment of pantile works, which proved successful.

From An Essay Upon Projects by Defoe, Daniel

The houses have mostly strong walls built with stone and covered with pantile.

From A Voyage to New Holland by Dampier, William

Related Words

• brick
• plate
• shingle