silo

[ sahy-loh ]

noun

, plural si·los.

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. da·ta si·lo [dey, -t, uh, sahy-loh, dat, -, uh], 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)

, si·loed, si·lo·ing.

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

He said he believed some restructuring is needed and there are too many “silos” operating separately.

From Los Angeles Times

As a result, we have enforced knowledge hierarchies that perpetuate information silos.

From Salon

The silos have historically grinded work to a crawl.

From Los Angeles Times

Grain silos and other port infrastructure have been badly damaged too.

From BBC

It was also yet another departure from the silo of elegant but wounded women who at different times threatened to overtake her Hollywood career.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cellar
• granary
• storehouse