pylon
nounUK /ˈpaɪ.lən/ · /ˈpaɪ.lɒn/
Etymology Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek πυλών (pulṓn, “gateway”).
12 senses
- 1A gateway to the inner part of an Ancient Egyptian temple.
- 2A tower-like structure, usually one of a series, used to…
- 3A tall steel or concrete tower from which cables are strung.
- 4A lighting mast; a freestanding support for floodlights.
- 5A structure used to mount engines, missiles etc., to the…
- 6A starting derrick for an aeroplane.
- 7A post, tower, etc. as on an aerodrome, or flying…
- 8An obelisk.
- 9A traffic cone.
- 10An orange marker designating one of the four corners of…
- 11An ineffective, useless player.
- 12A rigid prosthesis for the lower leg.
A gateway to the inner part of an Ancient Egyptian temple.
Business, Electrical engineering, Electricity, Electromagnetism, Energy, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics A tower-like structure, usually one of a series, used to support high-voltage electricity cables.
- The highway to the East Coast which ran through the borough of Ebbfield had always been a main road and even now, despite the vast garages, the pylons and the gaily painted factory glasshouses which had sprung up beside it, there still remained an occasional trace of past cultures.1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 7, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
- After two pylonless months, July's pylon comes all the way from the hills outside Wellington, New Zealand.2023 July 8, “Pylon of the Month - July 2023”, in Pylon of the Month, archived from the original on 13 Jul 2024:
1 more example
- These smaller pylons have might not possess the majesty of the giant 400 kV pylons, but they have a squat charm all of their own and 132 kV was the original voltage of the National Grid when it was rolled out in the 1920s.2025 April 14, “Pylon of the Month - April 2025”, in Pylon of the Month, archived from the original on 30 Apr 2025:
Architecture A tall steel or concrete tower from which cables are strung.
A lighting mast; a freestanding support for floodlights.
Aeronautics, Aerospace, Aviation, Business, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences A structure used to mount engines, missiles etc., to the underside of an aircraft wing or fuselage.
Aeronautics, Aerospace, Aviation, Business, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Historical A starting derrick for an aeroplane.
Aeronautics, Aerospace, Aviation, Business, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Historical A post, tower, etc. as on an aerodrome, or flying ground, serving to bound or mark a prescribed course of flight.
An obelisk.
- The Washington Monument is often described as an obelisk, and sometimes even as a “true obelisk,” even though it is not. A true obelisk is a monolith, a pylon formed out of a single piece of stone.2012 January 23, Henry Petroski, “The Washington Monument”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, page 16:
A traffic cone.
American football, Ball games, Football, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports An orange marker designating one of the four corners of the end zone in American football.
Hobbies, Ice hockey, Lifestyle, Skating, Sports Derogatory An ineffective, useless player.
- The defensemen have been total pylons tonight!
- So I joined a rec league in October with no hockey experience and little skating experience. While its been fun, there is the problem that I continue to be a pylon.2024 March 15, u/shawnwarnerwrites, “So I joined a rec league in October with no hockey experience and little skating experience. While its been fun, there is the problem that I continue to be a pylon.”, in r/hockeyplayers (Reddit post):
1 more example
- IMO the Nyquist, Pearson and Koeptke experiment is done. Put them on waivers and bring up the young lads. Lambert, Chibby and even Ford can provide some speed and youthful enthusiasm while contributing more than these pylons.2025 December 2, u/Minute-Visual-9797, “Comrie looks so depressed to be pulled in the 1st”, in r/winnipegjets (Reddit post):
Medicine, Sciences A rigid prosthesis for the lower leg.
- McKenzie uses a pylon for all above knee amputees, and orders a permanent leg when function merits it.1963, Robert Mazet, The Influence of Prosthesis Wearing on the Health of the Geriatric Patient, page 5:
- During the early postoperative period, before the patient has a prosthesis, they may have a rigid dressing with a pylon.2007, Michelle H. Cameron, Linda Monroe, Physical Rehabilitation - E-Book:
- Derived terms
- anchor pylon, electricity pylon, pylonless, pylonlike, pylon poet, pylon sign, pylon turn, tetrapylon