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

She placed the holy book under her pillow perhaps for protection.

From Literature

It is about attention, and eyeballs, and the calculation is that an extended pillow fight between two near-quintagenarians is an easier way to lure them than, say, a legitimately compelling brawl between two lesser-knowns.

From The Wall Street Journal

She changed all of his bandages, washed his face, and got him a pillow to lay his head on.

From Literature

She got to choose her pillow from an extensive menu.

From The Wall Street Journal

A flight attendant later offered the 54-year-old a pillow, which he found unusual on a domestic flight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cushion
• padding