How to pronounce pillion
Say it like PIL-yun. Pillion has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pillion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PIL
- yun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pillion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pillion
American and British speakers say pillion in essentially the same way: /ˈpɪljən/ in the US and /ˈpɪljən/ in the UK.
British respelling: PIL-yun.
What does pillion mean?
- A pad behind the saddle of a horse for a second rider.
- A similar second saddle on a bicycle or motorcycle for a passenger.
- The person riding in the pillion.
- Riding behind the driving rider, as when positioned on the rump of a mount.
- To place (a person) on a pillion.
- To ride on a pillion.
- To put a pillion on a horse.
Where does pillion come from?
From Scottish Gaelic pillean (“little rug”), from Latin pellis (“animal skin, pelt”).
Words that rhyme with pillion
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pillion.
Questions about saying pillion
How do you pronounce pillion?
Say PIL-yun. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɪljən/. In British English it is /ˈpɪljən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pillion?
Pillion has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIL). Broken into parts: PIL · yun.
Do Americans and Brits say pillion the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɪljən/ and the British form is /ˈpɪljən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.