pylon

[pahy-lon]

noun

1. a marking post or tower for guiding aviators, frequently used in races.

2. a relatively tall structure at the side of a gate, bridge, or avenue, marking an entrance or approach.

3. a monumental tower forming the entrance to an ancient Egyptian temple, consisting either of a pair of tall quadrilateral masonry masses with sloping sides and a doorway between them or of one such mass pierced with a doorway.

4. a steel tower or mast carrying high-tension lines, telephone wires, or other cables and lines.

5. Aeronautics.,  a finlike device used to attach engines, auxiliary fuel tanks, bombs, etc., to an aircraft wing or fuselage.

pylon

/ ˈpaɪlən /

noun

1. a large vertical steel tower-like structure supporting high-tension electrical cables

2. a post or tower for guiding pilots or marking a turning point in a race

3. a streamlined aircraft structure for attaching an engine pod, external fuel tank, etc, to the main body of the aircraft

4. a monumental gateway, such as one at the entrance to an ancient Egyptian temple

5. a temporary artificial leg

Word History and Origins

Origin of pylon¹

First recorded in 1840–50, pylon is from the Greek word pylṓn gateway, gate tower

Word History and Origins

Origin of pylon¹

C19: from Greek pulōn a gateway

Example Sentences

Investigators later determined that improper repair work on the American Airlines plane had damaged parts within its pylon, a structure that attaches the engine to the wing.

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The plans include erecting tall pylons and and building large sub-stations.

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Lee Needham, who lives in the area, said the crash site was close to houses, train tracks, industrial units and electrical pylons.

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A number of what are termed "nationally significant infrastructure projects" are planned for the county, including large-scale solar farms and a corridor of pylons between Grimsby and Walpole, in Norfolk.

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The journey across offers commuters cinematic views across the water, and its giant metal pylons are striking.

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Related Words

• monument