pile driver

American  

noun

1. a machine for driving piles, usually composed of a tall framework in which either a weight is raised and dropped on a pile head or in which a steam hammer drives the pile.

2. a person who operates such a machine.

3. a person who hits or attacks forcefully or powerfully.

4. Wrestling. a move whereby an opponent is turned upside down and slammed headfirst to the mat.

5. British Sports. a powerful stroke, hit, kick, etc.

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pile-driver British  

noun

1. a machine that drives piles into the ground either by repeatedly allowing a heavy weight to fall on the head of the pile or by using a steam hammer

2. informal a forceful punch or kick

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Etymology

Origin of pile driver

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

When engineers watched the lander’s video footage of its attempt to deploy the mole, they realized something was wrong: the 16-inch-long pile driver was hammering away, but wasn’t getting anywhere.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2022

Perforated pipes encircle the pile driver, blowing a wall of air bubbles that absorb and refract the noise, reducing it by as much as 15 dB.

From Scientific American • Feb. 23, 2021

At first blush, then, the only unpredictable thing about the opening track of Dacus’ new Historian is what a pile driver of a breakup song it is.

From Slate • Mar. 7, 2018

In 1870, Seattle selects its first mayor: Henry Atkins, a pile driver who helped build docks and wharves on Puget Sound.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2016

Then the water hit him, in the side; it was like the blow of a pile driver.

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright