# piles

/ˈpaɪɫz/ (US) · /pˈaɪlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/piles
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. stacks of things

noun · CEFR A2

more than one stack of objects placed on top of each other.

For teachers: plural of 'pile'; multiple collections of objects laid one on top of another.

- There were piles of old newspapers in the corner of the garage.
- The researcher spent the afternoon sorting through disorganized piles of documents that had been left in the archive for decades.

### 2. a large amount

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a very large amount of something, like money or work.

For teachers: a large quantity or amount; often used as a quantifier in informal contexts.

- He made piles of money when he sold his first company.
- Despite having piles of work to finish before the weekend, she decided to attend the gallery opening anyway.

### 3. medical condition

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

swollen veins in the area where waste leaves the body, which can be painful.

For teachers: a medical condition involving swollen veins in the rectum or anus; the common term for haemorrhoids.

- The doctor suggested a special cream to help treat his piles.
- Chronic constipation is a primary risk factor for the development of piles in older patients.

Usage: Always used in the plural form.

Teaching tip: While 'haemorrhoids' is the formal medical term, 'piles' is the standard word used in everyday British and American English.

## Examples

- Sitting for too long can sometimes make piles worse.
- He went to the pharmacy to buy some cream to help soothe his piles after a long week of travel.
- While the condition is rarely discussed in polite conversation, piles affect a significant portion of the adult population and are often treated with simple dietary changes or over-the-counter ointments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.