sand pile

noun

, Building Trades.

1. a base for a footing in soft soil, made by compacting sand in a cavity left by a wooden pile.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sand pile¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Forbes explains how so many vortices might all unpin at once: “Like dropping sand onto a sand pile — nothing really happens until … you get a whole avalanche.”

From Scientific American

A sand pile or wall to hold back the rocks, meanwhile, would have to be 230 feet high to protect Brienz.

From Washington Times

The production had few fussy touches — a chandelier stood for something or other, there was a scenic sand pile — but mainly it put Irene front and center, and that was exactly what was needed.

From Los Angeles Times

By noon, only a third of the sand pile remained.

From Washington Post

"I'm looking at a sand pile and concrete where the garage was," he said.

From Fox News

Related Words

• knoll
• ridge
• sand dune