pillow

[ pil-oh ]

noun

1. a bag or case made of cloth that is filled with feathers, down, or other soft material, and is used to cushion the head during sleep or rest.
2. anything used to cushion the head; headrest:

   a pillow of moss.

3. Also called lace pillow. a hard cushion or pad that supports the pattern and threads in the making of bobbin lace.
4. a supporting piece or part, as the block on which the inner end of a bowsprit rests.

verb (used with object)

1. to rest on or as on a pillow.
2. to support with pillows.
3. to serve as a pillow for:

   She pillowed the child with her body.

verb (used without object)

1. to rest as on a pillow.

pillow

/ ˈpɪləʊ /

noun

1. a cloth case stuffed with feathers, foam rubber, etc, used to support the head, esp during sleep
2. Also calledcushion a padded cushion or board on which pillow lace is made
3. anything like a pillow in shape or function

verb

1. to rest (one's head) on or as if on a pillow
2. to serve as a pillow for

Other Words From

• pillow·less adjective
• pillow·like adjective
• un·pillowed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillow¹

before 900; Middle English pilwe, Old English pylu < Latin pulvīnus cushion (whence also German Pfühl)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillow¹

Old English pylwe, from Latin pulvīnus cushion; compare German Pfühl

Synonym Study

See cushion.

Example Sentences

In the case of Joyce, she can put on a bright shiny façade, but at home she is slamming doors and crying into her pillow out of frustration.

From Los Angeles Times

Wrapped in a cozy gray cardigan, she’s sitting cross-legged on a sofa, shoes off, with an overstuffed pillow in her lap.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think even more meaningful than that is when people dress up in a striped dress and shove a pillow under there for Halloween. It’s happened every year since, and that’s probably my favorite thing — that’s my favorite superlative that’s happened.”

From Salon

Lyman was energized by Trump’s fraud claims after the 2020 election, attending a 2021 “cybersymposium” event in South Dakota in which My Pillow founder Mike Lindell promised to reveal proof of Chinese hackers stealing the election from Trump.

From Slate

She grabbed a pillow and blanket from the trunk and settled into the backseat for the night.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cushion
• padding