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

pillow

2 of 2

verb

pillowed; pillowing; pillows

transitive verb

1
: to rest or lay on or as if on a pillow
2
: to serve as a pillow for

intransitive verb

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Marble bathrooms have pricey Le Labo products and my signature sea view studio suite had a free-standing bath almost big enough to swim in, plus a bath pillow and wooden bath rack with space to hold a wine glass. — Siobhan Grogan, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026 Most memorable to me were the little touches throughout my stay, like the chocolates left in my room at turndown service — not on the pillow, but on the bedside table, on a glass dish covered with a glass cloche. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026 Side sleepers and anyone worried about long-term hearing health should lean toward flat-speaker headbands or pillow speakers, which Laird flagged as the safer, more comfortable option for all-night use. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Complete the transformation with fresh bedding, decorative pillows, or a cozy throw. — Ethan Stone october 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pillow

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pilwe, from Old English pyle (akin to Old High German pfuliwi), from Latin pulvinus

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1629, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pillow was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pillow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pillow. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

pillow

1 of 2 noun
: 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 verb
1
: to place on or as if on a pillow
2
: to serve as a pillow for
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