pylon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2technical/architectural/aviation
Quick answer
What does “pylon” mean?
A tall tower-like structure, typically made of steel, used to support electrical cables or as a gateway marker.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tall tower-like structure, typically made of steel, used to support electrical cables or as a gateway marker.
1. In aviation: a structure on an aircraft's engine used for mounting or as a marker on a racecourse. 2. In medicine: a temporary artificial leg. 3. In ancient Egypt: a monumental gateway to a temple.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use 'pylon' for electricity transmission towers. 'Pylon' is the standard UK term; in the US, 'transmission tower', 'utility pole', or 'power line tower' are more common in everyday speech.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with the landscape and debates about visual impact. US: More neutral engineering term.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English due to prominent public discussions about infrastructure.
Grammar
How to Use “pylon” in a Sentence
[verb] + pylon: erect/build/construct a pylonpylon + [verb]: the pylon carries/supports/standsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pylon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The aircraft was pyloned for maintenance.
American English
- The engine was pyloned to the wing.
adjective
British English
- The pylon construction phase is complete.
American English
- The pylon design met federal standards.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussions of infrastructure projects, costs, and planning permissions.
Academic
Engineering, architecture, urban planning, and archaeology texts.
Everyday
Describing scenery during travel or discussing news about power grids.
Technical
Specifications for voltage capacity, height, and materials.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pylon”
- Using 'pylon' for a simple wooden telegraph pole (too small).
- Confusing 'pylon' (structure) with 'pyramid' (monument).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for electricity transmission, it can also refer to structures in aviation, medicine, and archaeology.
A 'pylon' is typically a large, steel lattice tower for high-voltage lines. A 'pole' is usually a single, often wooden, post for lower-voltage distribution lines.
Rarely. In specialized aviation/engineering contexts, it can mean to mount or attach to a pylon-like structure.
It's associated with debates about industrializing the countryside, as electricity pylons are often seen as visually intrusive in rural landscapes.
A tall tower-like structure, typically made of steel, used to support electrical cables or as a gateway marker.
Pylon is usually technical/architectural/aviation in register.
Pylon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpaɪ.lɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpaɪ.lɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Conceptually linked to 'skeleton' or 'framework'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a giant PYthon wrapped around a LONg steel tower to remember 'pylon'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PYLON IS A SKELETON (for cables); A PYLON IS A SENTINEL (in the landscape).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'pylon' LEAST likely to be used?