1
a
: a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b
or Pill
: birth control pill
—usually used with the
2
: something repugnant or unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
3
: something resembling a pill in size or shape
4
: a disagreeable or tiresome person
pilled; pilling; pills
: to become rough with or mat into little balls
brushed woolens often pill
Examples of pill in a Sentence
Noun
She took a pill for her headache.
The drug is available as a pill or a liquid.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jane Keltner De Valle, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025
Romanowski warns that light textures such as this generally come at the cost of longer-term barrier support and moisturization, but that’s fine by me considering this formula doesn’t pill when layered underneath other creams or petroleum jelly.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 7 May 2025
Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 25 July 2025
Another major reason is that the black box warning is currently on all types of hormone treatments, including vaginal therapies that deliver far lower doses and do not have the systemic effect of, say, an estrogen-containing pill.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pill
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
These are less likely to pill or tear because of the strength of their weave.
—Jane Keltner De Valle, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025
Romanowski warns that light textures such as this generally come at the cost of longer-term barrier support and moisturization, but that’s fine by me considering this formula doesn’t pill when layered underneath other creams or petroleum jelly.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 7 May 2025
Noun
In birth control pills like Nextstellis, E4 helps prevent pregnancy, just like other estrogens do, but with a lower impact on blood clotting and liver function.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 25 July 2025
Another major reason is that the black box warning is currently on all types of hormone treatments, including vaginal therapies that deliver far lower doses and do not have the systemic effect of, say, an estrogen-containing pill.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pill
Cite this Entry
“Pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pill. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pill
1 of 2 noun1
a
: medicine or a food supplement in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
b
often capitalized
: an oral contraceptive
—usually used with the
2
: something resembling a pill in shape or size
3
: something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
4
: an unpleasant or tiresome person
pill
2 of 2 verb
of a garment
: to develop small balls of fiber on the surface because of wear
Medical Definition
pill
noun1
: a usually medicinal or dietary preparation in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole
2
often capitalized
: birth control pill
—usually used with the
has been on the pill for three years
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