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 mattress, blanket and pillows were surprisingly cozy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Apparently she wants skin cream, candles, cheap jewelry, expensive pajamas, aromatherapy shower pods, and a pillow that does heated shiatsu massage.

Read more on Barron's

You want your marshmallows to be as small as possible to make sure they get properly melted and toasted and everyone gets some of those sugary pillows in their serving.

Read more on Salon

Layer in a few tactile moments: handwritten menus or place cards if that’s your vibe, or simply a stack of good blankets and genuinely comfortable pillows for that glorious post-meal sprawl on the couch.

Read more on Salon

Housekeeping left chocolates on the pillows after turning down beds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cushion 
• padding