pylon

American  

[pahy-lon] / ˈpaɪ lɒn /

noun

• pylons
  plural

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.

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pylon British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pylons
  plural

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

See Examples For:

pylon pylons

An energy firm facing backlash over plans for new power lines has unveiled what it has described as a "slim and compact" pylon, designed "with the Welsh landscape in mind".

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

After Rams cornerback Al’Zillion Hamilton intercepted a pass, Bennett led a 48-yard drive that he finished with a one-yard scramble to the right pylon for a touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

Many of projects involve a mix of underground and pylon supported cables, as well as sub-stations, converter stations, and equipment used in electricity transmission.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

The model of plane is known to deploy a parachute system and images circulating online appeared to show a yellow parachute canopy caught in a nearby pylon.

From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2026

“That’s right. Once we’ve got a comfortable socket, we’ll add the pylon and the foot. But first things first. We do a cast.”

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Ten minutes and a flutter of scissor kicks later, my thighs felt like concrete pylons, and my hip flexors, which I was previously unacquainted with, were screaming.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

Installing more, bigger pylons to ship the electricity to England, where the bulk of the UK's population is, or bring the largest consumers of that electricity closer to the generators.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The redevelopment of Camp Schwab includes new buildings and lengthening the runway, an engineering challenge that requires plunging thousands of pylons and tons of landfill into the soft seabed at Oura Bay.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

"Underground excavations have compromised ground stability, placing substations, transformers, pylons and transmission towers at risk," City Power spokesman Isaac Mangena said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

The southern California drive-in restaurants of the early 1940s tended to be gaudy and round, topped with pylons, towers, and flashing signs.

From "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser

Related Words

• monument