Pronunciation

/paɪl/

Definitions

Noun

1. A collection of things placed or lying one above the other, often in a disordered heap: A pile of books on the table.
2. A large amount or quantity: There’s a pile of work waiting for me to finish.
3. A small hill or mound: The children were building a sand pile at the beach.
4. (informal) A gambling bet or stake: He put a big pile on the winning team.

Verb

1. To accumulate or gather (things) in a heap: She piled the dishes in the sink.
2. To form a pile or heap: The leaves piled up in the yard after the storm.
3. (informal) To bet a significant amount: He piled all his chips on black.

Phrases

• “Build a pile” means to create a stack or heap.
• “Clear off the pile” is an expression to remove items from a heap or stack.
• “Pile on the pressure” is a figurative way to say to intensify or add to the stress.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “She carefully arranged her clothes into neat piles before packing for vacation.”
• Verb: “He quickly piled the wood in preparation for the fire.”
• Informal Verb: “I decided to pile all my savings into stocks hoping for a good return.”

Synonyms

• Stack
• Heap
• Mass
• Mound
• Accumulation
• Collection
• Heap of
• Tower of
• Lump