n. & v.
n. 1 a heavy beam driven vertically into the bed of a river, soft ground, etc., to support the foundations of a superstructure. 2 a pointed stake or post. 3 Heraldry a wedge-shaped device.
v.tr. 1 provide with piles. 2 drive (piles) into the ground etc. pile-driver a machine for driving piles into the ground. pile-dwelling a dwelling built on piles, esp. in a lake.
[ OE pil f. L pilum javelin ]