[py.lon] n [Gk pylon, fr. pyle gate] (1850) 1 a: a usu. massive gateway b: an ancient Egyptian gateway building in a truncated pyramidal form c: a monumental mass flanking an entranceway or an approach to a bridge
2. a chiefly Brit: a tower for supporting either end of usu. a number of wires over a long span b: any of various towerlike structures 3 a: a post or tower marking a prescribed course of flight for an airplane b: traffic cone
4: a rigid structure on the outside of an aircraft for supporting something (as an engine or missile)--see airplane illustration