silo

[sahy-loh]

noun

plural

silos 

1. a structure, typically cylindrical, in which fodder or forage is kept.

   The dairy farm's two biggest buildings were the barn and the silo full of feed for the cows.

2. a pit or underground space for storing grain, green feeds, etc.

3. Military.,  an underground installation constructed of concrete and steel, designed to house a ballistic missile and the equipment for firing it.

4. a group, unit, enterprise, etc., that is isolated from others or functions independently, typically viewed as not deriving the benefits of interrelationships or collaboration.

   Fundraising department silos happen when different teams don't share their ideas and plans.

5. information silo.  data silo. Computers.,  an unintegrated data repository that cannot share its stored data with other systems, subsystems, or applications.

   When an organization deploys a stand-alone solution to improve operations, it risks creating a data silo that may present difficulties when trying to scale throughout the enterprise.

verb (used with object)

siloed, siloing 

1. to put into or preserve in a silo, as fodder, grain, or missiles.

2. to separate or isolate (a group, unit, enterprise, etc.) from others.

   We Americans are now more sheltered and siloed in our sources of news than ever before.

silo

/ ˈsaɪləʊ /

noun

1. a pit, trench, horizontal container, or tower, often cylindrical in shape, in which silage is made and stored

2. a strengthened underground position in which missile systems are sited for protection against attack

Word History and Origins

Origin of silo¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from Spanish: “place for storing grain, hay, etc.,” originally, “subterranean”; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of silo¹

C19: from Spanish, perhaps from Celtic

Example Sentences

But at a time when we’re entrenched deeper in our silos than ever, it’s the only way forward.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Humor is derived from individual perception, and it’s hard to see much of the world stuck in the blinding blue light of a digital silo.

Read more on Salon

I really hope they don’t silo her in the música Mexicana categories, because this is a very mature album for her.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The agency said it would not “silo LGB+ youth services” but rather focus on serving all who are seeking help.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One thing that seems to have escaped the destruction are Iran's ballistic missile silos that Israel found hard to locate as they are placed in tunnels under mountains throughout the country.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cellar 
• granary 
• storehouse