pithead

American  

[pit-hed] / ˈpɪtˌhɛd /

noun

1. a mine entrance and the surrounding area.

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pithead British  

/ ˈpɪtˌhɛd /

noun

1. the top of a mine shaft and the buildings, hoisting gear, etc, situated around it

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Etymology

Origin of pithead

First recorded in 1830–40; pit ¹ + head

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pithead

The iconic image of Shaft XII’s pithead is scattered throughout the city of Essen as an unofficial trademark of the Ruhr region.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 4, 2022

Photograph: Ben Duffy/SWpix.com Son of Dick and Annie, Barry was born in the South Yorkshire mining village of Hoyland Common, near Barnsley, where he sought out the rolling fields and rich woods beyond the pithead.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 20, 2016

In view of the pithead, rail trucks bulging with the stuff rattle across the Hatfield estate, bound for Drax, Europe’s biggest coal-fired power-station.

From Economist ● Jun. 25, 2015

First on the scene at the pithead was Mr Shaw, the mine manager, who had been in the lamp room at the surface when the explosion occurred.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2013

I hauled down my old greasy working clothes, and went off to the pithead.

From Between You and Me by Lauder, Harry, Sir