Meaning & Definition of word "Piles"

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    Piles

    /paɪlz/

    noun:

    • 1. A collection or stack of items or materials.
      • Example: The children built piles of leaves in the yard for jumping into.
    • 2. A large number or quantity of something.
      • Example: There were piles of paperwork that needed to be sorted through.
    • 3. In medicine, a term referring to hemorrhoids.
      • Example: He went to the doctor to discuss his diagnosis of piles.

    verb:

    • 1. To arrange or stack in a pile.
      • Example: Please pile the books neatly on the shelf.
    • 2. To accumulate or increase a large amount.
      • Example: She began to pile on the layers of frosting on the cake.

    Etymology

    From Middle English 'pile', from Old French 'pile', from Latin 'pila' meaning 'pillar or column'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    piles of work:

    a large amount of work to be done

    in piles:

    in a disordered or chaotic manner

    a pile of troubles:

    a great number of problems

    Related Words

    stack:

    a neatly arranged pile of items.

    heap:

    a messy or disorganized pile.

    mountain:

    a large amount of something, often implying an overwhelming existence.

    Slang Meanings of piles

    Meaning: A large amount of money.

    Example Sentence: He just scored piles from that investment.

    Meaning: A significant number of something, often used informally.

    Example Sentence: We have piles of homework to do this weekend.