pylon
pylon — noun
- pylonsingular
- pylonsplural
1. A very tall metal tower that keeps electric wires raised well off the ground so
A very tall metal tower that keeps electric wires raised well off the ground so that power can travel across long distances.
The storm damaged the pylon near Trang's village, cutting off the electricity supply.
pylon + carrying cables cut off by storm
Feng could see a row of pylons marching over the hills from his bedroom window.
row of pylons + over hills / landscape
Workers inspected the base of the tall steel pylon for cracks after the earthquake.
A new pylon was built to connect the electricity grid to the mountain town.
Bright red warning lights on the pylon helped small planes see it at night.
- transmission tower
more technical term used by engineers; refers specifically to towers supporting high-voltage power lines
- electricity tower
simpler, more general term understood by non-specialists
- power pylon
common in British English, used interchangeably with 'pylon'
文法句型
pylon + carries/supports/connects + cables
用法筆記
Subject is made of steel or metal, never wood. Do not use 'pylon' for the shorter wooden utility poles found on residential streets — those are called 'utility poles' or 'telephone poles'.
常見錯誤
2. A tall structure placed on the ground to guide aircraft pilots along the correct
A tall structure placed on the ground to guide aircraft pilots along the correct route during races, training drills, or when coming in to land.
The pilot flew close to the first pylon before turning sharply toward the runway.
pilot flies close to pylon as turning marker
A row of red pylons marked the course for the annual air show race.
Kevin adjusted his heading when he spotted the pylon ahead through the clouds.
Helicopter pilots used the large yellow pylons as guide points during training.
- course marker
general term for any object marking a route or path for aircraft
- guidance tower
less common; emphasizes the navigational function
文法句型
pylon + marks + course/route; pylon used as guide point
用法筆記
Typically used in the context of air shows, pilot training, or helicopter navigation. The pylon is a fixed ground marker, not a floating or mobile beacon.
常見錯誤
3. A cone-shaped marker, often bright orange or yellow, set on roads to alert drive
A cone-shaped marker, often bright orange or yellow, set on roads to alert drivers of hazards, block off sections, or direct traffic around a work zone.
Camila placed orange pylons around the open manhole to warn drivers at night.
placed pylons around [hazard] to warn drivers
Workers set up a ring of pylons to block off the broken road section.
Drivers slowed down when they saw a row of pylons narrowing the lane ahead.
Otis kicked a traffic pylon by accident while walking past the roadworks sign.
- traffic cone
the standard name in British English; interchangeable in American English
- road cone
informal; emphasizes the location rather than the shape
- safety cone
focuses on the purpose of warning and protecting workers
文法句型
pylon + placed/set up + to block/warn/guide
用法筆記
In British English these are usually called 'traffic cones'. In American English both 'pylon' and 'traffic cone' are common.
常見錯誤
4. A short bendable orange pole at each corner of the scoring area in American foot
A short bendable orange pole at each corner of the scoring area in American football, used to show where a team can earn points by carrying the ball.
The receiver stretched the ball toward the pylon as he dove into the end zone.
stretched the ball toward the pylon for a touchdown
Min watched the replay to check if the player touched the pylon before stepping out.
The referee stood next to the orange pylon and signaled a touchdown for the team.
With the ball inches from the pylon, the running back lunged forward and scored.
- end zone marker
descriptive term for someone unfamiliar with football terminology
- field corner marker
general term focusing on the pylon's position on the field
文法句型
pylon + marks/stands at + corner of end zone
用法筆記
Only used in American football (gridiron football). The pylon marks the corner where the goal line meets the sideline. If the ball touches the pylon while a player is in possession, it counts as a touchdown.