ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pillow

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈpɪɫoʊ// UK //pˈɪləʊ// pil·low

n. a soft object that you put your head on when you sleep in bed. It is usually filled with feathers or soft material and covered with a cloth case.

n. a rectangular or square cloth bag filled with soft material, used to support the head during sleep or rest. In technical contexts, it refers to a support or cushion used in engineering or a rounded rock formation in geology.


SIMPLE

I like to sleep with a soft pillow under my head.

CONTEXTUAL

The hotel provides several different types of pillows so guests can choose the firmness they prefer.

COMPLEX

While the primary function of a pillow is to provide spinal alignment during sleep, modern ergonomic designs often incorporate memory foam to distribute pressure more evenly across the neck and shoulders.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English pilwe, from Old English pyle, pylu (“pillow”), from Proto-West Germanic *pulwī (“pillow”), from Latin pulvīnus (“cushion”), derived from pulvis (“dust, powder”) + -īnus (“-ine”), for the filler of a pillow. Doublet of pulvinus. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Peel (“pillow”), Alemannic German Pfulme (“pillow”), Dutch peluw (“a long, narrow pillow”), German Pfühl (“a big and soft pillow”), German Low German Pöhl (“pad, pillow, cushion”).

Usage

Commonly used with the verb 'prop up' or the noun 'case' (pillowcase).

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference