pillion

[ pil-yuhn ]

noun

1. a pad or cushion attached behind a saddle, especially as a seat for a woman.
2. a pad, cushion, saddle, or the like, used as a passenger seat on a bicycle, motor scooter, etc.
3. a passenger's saddle or seat behind the driver's seat on a motorcycle.

pillion

/ ˈpɪljən /

noun

1. a seat or place behind the rider of a motorcycle, scooter, horse, etc

adverb

1. on a pillion

   to ride pillion

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillion¹

1495–1505; < Scots Gaelic pillinn or Irish pillín, diminutive of peall skin, rug blanket, MIr pell < Latin pellis skin

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillion¹

C16: from Gaelic; compare Scottish pillean, Irish pillīn couch; related to Latin pellis skin

Example Sentences

A woman, 25, who was pillion passenger on the motorcycle, was critically injured, the Met Police said.

From BBC

She also suffered injuries to her pelvis, ribs and spine in the crash, which happened as she rode pillion on partner Stephen Sharman's machine on Stafford Road.

From BBC

A pillion passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was arrested after being found with a machete.

From BBC

Motorbike pillion passenger Liam Scott, 21, suffered a fatal head injury.

From BBC

She had a bike when she left school and had been pillion on her husband John's bike for 10 years, travelling to places including Ireland and Wales, but she never got her own full licence.

From BBC