pylon
Americannoun
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a marking post or tower for guiding aviators, frequently used in races.
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a relatively tall structure at the side of a gate, bridge, or avenue, marking an entrance or approach.
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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.
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a steel tower or mast carrying high-tension lines, telephone wires, or other cables and lines.
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Aeronautics. a finlike device used to attach engines, auxiliary fuel tanks, bombs, etc., to an aircraft wing or fuselage.
noun
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a large vertical steel tower-like structure supporting high-tension electrical cables
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a post or tower for guiding pilots or marking a turning point in a race
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a streamlined aircraft structure for attaching an engine pod, external fuel tank, etc, to the main body of the aircraft
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a monumental gateway, such as one at the entrance to an ancient Egyptian temple
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a temporary artificial leg
Etymology
Origin of pylon
First recorded in 1840–50, pylon is from the Greek word pylṓn gateway, gate tower
Explanation
A pylon is a bar or rod that supports some structure, like a bridge or a highway overpass. You might notice the pylons underpinning your city's elevated train tracks. Pylons are often made of steel or concrete, because they are strong substances that can hold a large amount of weight. A pylon needs to be sturdy, since it is supporting a bridge, road, or power lines. Other pylons act as navigational aids, marking paths for cars or small planes. The word's original meaning was "gateway to an Egyptian temple." Pylon is a Greek word that means "gateway," from pyle, "gate or entrance."
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.
The Cirrus SR 20 is known to deploy a parachute system and images circulating online after the crash appeared to show a yellow parachute canopy caught in a pylon nearby.
From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026
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.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025
His pass had just been picked off, a most unfortunate turn at a most unfortunate time for USC, when Jayden Maiava took off sprinting toward the pylon.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2025
She also described the offer of compensation to people living near the pylon route was "derisory".
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2025
They had heard the unnatural humming of a pylon in the summer air; and had actually gone beneath it, on Fiver’s assurance that it could do them no harm.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
