1
a
: a support for the head of a reclining person
especially
: one consisting of a cloth bag filled with feathers, down, sponge rubber, or plastic fiber
b
: something resembling a pillow especially in form
2
: a cushion or pad tightly stuffed and used as a support for the design and tools in making lace with a bobbin
pillowed; pillowing; pillows
: to lay or rest one's head on or as if on a pillow
Examples of pillow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Lena Brown is a recluse who doesn’t have a lock on her door and so sleeps with a hammer by her pillow.
—Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
Bright, frilly, Southern charm home decor, including pillows, art, lighting, area rugs, gifts and more, that changes with the seasons.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024
In fact, the appellate team says that several blood-like stains on items including a pillow sham, the nightstand, a lampshade, turned out not to be blood.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2024
Wallpaper, pillows, furniture, picture frames, live flower arrangements and seeds for planting are also named.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Right now, the special section is teeming with affordable faux wreaths, doormats, twinkly lights, and outdoor rugs and pillows — many of which are discounted, too.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
The boy found a 9mm handgun beneath a pillow and accidentally shot himself in the chest, the woman told police according to court records.
—The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024
Then, dress up your new bed with a comfortable body pillow that’s marked down to $18 or a Wellboo comforter, which is 53% off at Amazon.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
Noun
Republican Roscoe Bartlett bowed before Moon and Hak Jan Han, while Democrat Danny Davis brought forth a pillow bearing a golden crown for his head.
—TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Lena Brown is a recluse who doesn’t have a lock on her door and so sleeps with a hammer by her pillow.
—Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
Bright, frilly, Southern charm home decor, including pillows, art, lighting, area rugs, gifts and more, that changes with the seasons.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024
In fact, the appellate team says that several blood-like stains on items including a pillow sham, the nightstand, a lampshade, turned out not to be blood.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2024
Wallpaper, pillows, furniture, picture frames, live flower arrangements and seeds for planting are also named.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
Right now, the special section is teeming with affordable faux wreaths, doormats, twinkly lights, and outdoor rugs and pillows — many of which are discounted, too.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
The boy found a 9mm handgun beneath a pillow and accidentally shot himself in the chest, the woman told police according to court records.
—The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024
Then, dress up your new bed with a comfortable body pillow that’s marked down to $18 or a Wellboo comforter, which is 53% off at Amazon.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pillow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pillow
Cite this Entry
“Pillow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pillow. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pillow
1 of 2 noun
pil·low
ˈpil-ō 
: a bag filled with soft or springy material used as a cushion usually for the head of a person lying down
pillow
2 of 2 verb1
: to place on or as if on a pillow
2
: to serve as a pillow for
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