pile
pile Lexical Profile
pile Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A number of things lying one on top of another; a heap or stack, or informally a large amount of something.
"She sorted the correspondence into a neat pile on the corner of her desk."
A heavy stake or pillar of wood, steel, or concrete driven into the ground to support the foundation of a bridge, dock, or building.
"Engineers drove steel piles deep into the riverbed to anchor the new suspension bridge."
The soft, projecting surface of a fabric, such as carpet, velvet, or corduroy, consisting of upright loops or strands of yarn.
"The living room rug has a thick wool pile that feels plush underfoot."
Swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum and anus that cause discomfort or bleeding; a hemorrhoid (usually used in the plural).
"The physician recommended a high-fiber diet to help alleviate the patient's piles."
A very large and imposing building or group of buildings, such as a historic mansion or castle.
"The family spent their summers at an ancient stone pile in the Scottish countryside."
• verb
To place or lay things one on top of another so as to form a heap or stack.
"The volunteers piled the donated books onto the folding tables."
To move into or out of a place or vehicle in a crowded, disorganized group.
"After the soccer match ended, the tired players piled into the team van."
To drive heavy stakes or pillars into the ground to support a structure.
"The construction crew spent two weeks piling the marshy ground before pouring the concrete slab."
• Rhymes for pile
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The word represents a convergence of three distinct Latin roots: the sense of a 'heap' comes via Old French from Latin pila ('stone pillar' or 'barrier'); the sense of a 'heavy stake' comes via Old English pil from Latin pilum ('javelin'); and the sense of 'soft fabric surface' comes from Latin pilus ('hair').