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Synonyms

pillion

American  
[pil-yuhn] / ˈpɪl jən /

noun

  1. a pad or cushion attached behind a saddle, especially as a seat for a woman.

  2. a pad, cushion, saddle, or the like, used as a passenger seat on a bicycle, motor scooter, etc.

  3. a passenger's saddle or seat behind the driver's seat on a motorcycle.


pillion British  
/ ˈpɪljən /

noun

  1. a seat or place behind the rider of a motorcycle, scooter, horse, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. on a pillion

    to ride pillion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of pillion

1495–1505; < Scots Gaelic pillinn or Irish pillín, diminutive of peall skin, rug blanket, MIr pell < Latin pellis skin

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:

Alana Armstrong was riding pillion on one of two e-bikes that were being pursued by a dark-coloured 4x4 at about 20:00 GMT on Tuesday, police said.

From BBC Nov. 29, 2024

One particular issue is the practice of pillion riders, who are at more risk due to not being in control.

From The Guardian Oct. 2, 2019

As the convoy left the hospital it was chased by two motorcycle film crews, with one cameraman standing on the pillion seat.

From New York Times Aug. 30, 2017

A somewhat less comfortable pillion seat is hidden beneath the rear cowl, with slender fold-down passenger pegs available along with an integrated grab bar.

From Forbes Jul. 1, 2015

“Fetch out my pillion, fetch out my cloak, You’ll heal my heart if my bowl you broke.”

From Tales from Blackwood, Volume 7 by Willis, Herbert

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