noun
sill
sihl
Sill (noun) means the horizontal ledge at the base of a window or door frame. Example: “She set the plant pot on the windowsill.”
noun
1
The horizontal ledge at the base of a window or door frame.
"She set the plant pot on the windowsill."
"Rain had rotted the wooden sill under the kitchen window."
2
(geology) A flat sheet of igneous rock that has forced its way between existing layers of rock underground.
"Geologists found a dolerite sill running beneath the hillside."
How to use sill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ledge at the bottom of a window, or a flat underground rock layer in geology.
Common pairings
window sill
door sill
sill plate
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Word forms
- Plural
- sills
- Comparative
- more sill
- Superlative
- most sill
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rain had rotted the wooden _____ under the kitchen window.
Etymology
From Old English syll, "threshold, foundation," related to Old Norse svill and, more distantly, to Latin silva, "forest."
Rhymes for sill
See all rhymes for sill →Frequently asked questions
What does “sill” mean?
The word “sill” means the horizontal ledge at the base of a window or door frame. In plain terms, the ledge at the bottom of a window, or a flat underground rock layer in geology.
How do you pronounce “sill”?
“Sill” is pronounced sihl (/sɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sill” in a sentence?
Here is “sill” used in a sentence: “She set the plant pot on the windowsill.”
What part of speech is “sill”?
“Sill” is a noun.
Where does the word “sill” come from?
The word “sill” comes from Latin. From Old English syll, "threshold, foundation," related to Old Norse svill and, more distantly, to Latin silva, "forest.".
How many meanings does “sill” have?
“Sill” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the horizontal ledge at the base of a window or door frame.
