pillow

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a rounded shape of rock formed by lava cooling under the ocean.

n. a rounded, sack-like structure of basaltic rock formed by the rapid cooling of lava underwater.

“The divers photographed the strange pillow formations on the sea floor.”

“The presence of pillow lava in the mountain range suggests that the entire region was once submerged beneath a prehistoric ocean.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Technical

n. a block or piece of material used to support a heavy part of a machine.

n. a support block, often made of metal or wood, designed to equalize pressure or house a bearing.

“The engineer checked the pillow block to make sure the shaft was spinning correctly.”

“The heavy-duty pillow block was engineered to withstand the immense vibrational forces generated by the industrial turbine.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary

v. to rest your head on something soft, as if it were a pillow.

v. to rest or support something as if on a pillow; often used transitively with the head as the object.

“She pillowed her head on her arms and fell asleep at the desk.”

“The child pillowed his head against his mother's shoulder, finally finding peace after a long day of travel.”