noun
pellet
PEHL-iht
Pellet (noun) means a small, hard, compressed lump of material. Example: “She poured a scoop of feed pellets into the rabbit hutch.”
noun
1
A small, hard, compressed lump of material.
"She poured a scoop of feed pellets into the rabbit hutch."
2
A small lead ball fired from an air gun.
"He loaded a single pellet into the air rifle before taking aim."
verb
1
To shape material into small, compact lumps.
"The factory pellets the sawdust into fuel for wood stoves."
How to use pellet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, compact lump of matter, or the act of forming something into one.
Common pairings
feed pellets
air rifle pellet
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Word forms
- Plural
- pellets
- Third person singular
- pellets
- Past tense
- pelleted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She poured a scoop of feed _____ into the rabbit hutch.
Etymology
From Old French pelote ("small ball"), from Latin pila ("ball").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pellet” mean?
The word “pellet” means a small, hard, compressed lump of material. In plain terms, a small, compact lump of matter, or the act of forming something into one.
How do you pronounce “pellet”?
“Pellet” is pronounced PEHL-iht (/ˈpɛl.ɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pellet” in a sentence?
Here is “pellet” used in a sentence: “She poured a scoop of feed pellets into the rabbit hutch.”
What part of speech is “pellet”?
Depending on how it is used, “pellet” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pellet” come from?
The word “pellet” comes from Latin. From Old French pelote ("small ball"), from Latin pila ("ball").
How many meanings does “pellet” have?
“Pellet” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, hard, compressed lump of material.
