pillow

1 of 2

noun

pil·​low ˈpi-(ˌ)lō 

1

a

: a support for the head of a reclining person

especially : one consisting of a cloth bag filled with feathers, down, sponge rubber, or plastic fiber

b

: something resembling a pillow especially in form

2

: a cushion or pad tightly stuffed and used as a support for the design and tools in making lace with a bobbin

pillowy

ˈpi-lə-wē 

adjective

pillow

2 of 2

verb

pillowed; pillowing; pillows

transitive verb

1

: to rest or lay on or as if on a pillow

2

: to serve as a pillow for

intransitive verb

: to lay or rest one's head on or as if on a pillow

Examples of pillow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Expect to see playing card motifs on everything from wall art to pillows, with eerie quotes plucked straight from the pages of Lewis Carroll’s original. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025

The most complete part of the house is Carrie’s bed, with a polka dot duvet, linen sheets, and striped pillow shams that all look fancy enough to have been purchased at ABC Carpet & Home, but clash enough that the store wouldn’t have paired them together for display. —Jocelyn Silver, Vogue, 12 June 2025

Mini pretzels, crispy quinoa, and airy rice pillows come together in fun flavors like toasty peanut butter, chocolatey sea salt, and more. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 June 2025

Sly would lean back on the pillows and quote from one of his new songs. —Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pilwe, from Old English pyle (akin to Old High German pfuliwi), from Latin pulvinus

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1629, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing pillow

• pillow block
• pillow fight
• pillow lace
• pillow slip
• pillow talk
• throw pillow

Rhymes for pillow

• billow
• armadillo
• caudillo

Kids Definition

pillow

1 of 2 noun

pil·​low ˈpil-ō 

: a bag filled with soft or springy material used as a cushion usually for the head of a person lying down

pillow

2 of 2 verb

1

: to place on or as if on a pillow

2

: to serve as a pillow for