sill

noun

1
: a horizontal piece (such as a timber) that forms the lowest member or one of the lowest members of a framework or supporting structure: such as
a
: the horizontal member at the base of a window
b
: the threshold of a door
2
: a tabular body of igneous rock injected while molten between sedimentary or volcanic beds or along foliation planes of metamorphic rocks
3
: a submerged ridge at relatively shallow depth separating the basins of two bodies of water

Examples of sill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Wipe out sills and brush screens with a soft brush or spray off with a garden hose. Kathryn Weber, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 However, said the governor’s office, the intrusion recently overtopped the sill’s existing elevation. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 29 Sep. 2023 At some point during the car’s half-decade-long development, someone at the marque had the novel idea of equipping the vehicle with doors that retract vertically into their sills. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2024 But the reprieve to New Orleans meant little to those who live south of the sill. Jacey Fortin, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023 The mirror-like chrome rocker sills are uninterrupted, fashioned by Superior in absolute straight-and-true sheets. John Phillips, Car and Driver, 26 Aug. 2023 More momentum ensued once the 49ers defense forced a Goff incompletion on fourth-and-2, with 6:58 left in the third quarter and the Lions sill comfortably ahead 24-10. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024 In July, the Army Corps of Engineers built an underwater barrier sill to create an artificial basin to help delay the intrusion. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 29 Sep. 2023 Keeping the caboodle below the sills of the panoramic windows maintains excellent visibility out the tail and the right rear quarter. Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 15 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sille, from Old English syll; akin to Old High German swelli beam, threshold

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sill was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sill

Cite this Entry

“Sill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sill. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sill

noun
1
: a horizontal piece (as a timber) that forms the lowest part of a supporting structure: as
a
: the horizontal piece at the base of a window
b
: the timber or stone at the foot of a door : threshold
2
: a flat mass of igneous rock injected while melted between other rocks
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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