Search Dictionary
Definition of pileup

pileup

/ˈpaɪl.ʌp/
(UK: pile-up)
pile · up
Plural:pileups
JUMP TO:

pileup Lexical Profile

pileup Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A traffic accident involving multiple vehicles colliding with one another in quick succession.

Example

"Dense morning fog on the interstate resulted in a ten-car pileup that delayed commuters for hours."

2

A large accumulation or backlog of things, such as work, tasks, or obligations, that need to be dealt with.

Example

"After returning from a two-week vacation, she faced a daunting pileup of unanswered emails and reports."

3

In amateur radio, a situation in which numerous stations transmit simultaneously on the same frequency while attempting to contact a single rare or distant station.

Example

"The rare expedition station on the remote island generated a massive pileup across the twenty-meter band."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pileup
Antonyms
View all antonyms for pileup

• Nearby Words

pileated woodpecker
piledriver
piles
pileup
pilfer
pilferage
pilferer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pileup. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pileup
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.