pillion

1 of 2

noun

pil·​lion ˈpil-yən How to pronounce pillion (audio)
1
a
: a light saddle for women consisting chiefly of a cushion
b
: a pad or cushion put on behind a man's saddle chiefly for a woman to ride on
2
chiefly British : a motorcycle or bicycle saddle for a passenger

pillion

2 of 2

adverb

chiefly British
: on or as if on a pillion
ride pillion

Examples of pillion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The battery architecture was selected to allow for underseat storage, with a 17-liter (3.7 gal) capacity for luggage beneath the flat rider and pillion perch. — New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Scots Gaelic or Irish; Scottish Gaelic pillean, diminutive of peall covering, couch; Irish pillín, diminutive of peall covering, couch

First Known Use

Noun

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pillion was in 1503

Rhymes for pillion

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Cite this Entry

“Pillion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pillion. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

pillion

noun
pil·​lion
ˈpil-yən
1
: a cushion or pad placed behind a saddle for an extra rider
2
: a saddle for a passenger on a motorcycle or bicycle
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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