pill

1 of 3

verb (1)

pilled; pilling; pills

intransitive verb

dialectal, chiefly England : to come off in flakes or scales : peel

transitive verb

1
archaic : to subject to depredation or extortion
2
dialect : to peel or strip off

pill

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b
or Pill : birth control pill
usually used with the
2
: something repugnant or unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
3
: something resembling a pill in size or shape
4
: a disagreeable or tiresome person

pill

3 of 3

verb (2)

pilled; pilling; pills

transitive verb

1
: to dose with pills
2

intransitive verb

: to become rough with or mat into little balls
brushed woolens often pill

Examples of pill in a Sentence

Noun She took a pill for her headache. The drug is available as a pill or a liquid.
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.
Verb
The brand notes that the fabric’s superior weave ensures durability, and reviewers confirm that the sheets don’t pill even after numerous cycles through the washer and dryer. French Connection Fringe Trim Throw And don’t miss out on this throw blanket deal from French Connections. Maggie Horton, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024 Soft knits and sweaters made from wool and cashmere tend to pill because they are more loosely held together and therefore more fragile. Christina Pérez, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2024
Noun
And most carried three pill bottles or more for various chronic ailments. Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024 In addition to more than 2 million fentanyl pills seized, Phoenix police said its conspiracy squad and the Drug Enforcement Administration nabbed other drugs and trafficking goods. Also seized in Operation Night Owl: 21 kilograms of fentanyl powder. 8.5 kilograms of cocaine. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pill 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English pilen, pillen, partly from Old English pilian to peel, partly from Anglo-French piler to rob

Noun

Middle English pylle, from Anglo-French pile & Middle Dutch pille, both ultimately from Latin pilula, from diminutive of pila ball

First Known Use

Verb (1)

12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1736, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pill was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near pill

Cite this Entry

“Pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pill. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

pill

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: medicine or a food supplement in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b
often capitalized : an oral contraceptive
usually used with the
2
: something resembling a pill in shape or size
3
: something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
4
: an unpleasant or tiresome person

pill

2 of 2 verb
of a garment
: to develop small balls of fiber on the surface because of wear

Medical Definition

pill

noun
1
: a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
2
often capitalized : birth control pill
usually used with the
has been on the pill for three years

More from Merriam-Webster on pill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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