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pile

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noun American English pronunciation: pile /paɪl/ 
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singularpile
pluralpiles
  1. 1
    [countable] a number of things put on top of each other

    She sorted her clothes into neat piles.

    pile of:

    a pile of books and papers

    1. a.
      a lot of things that have been put or have fallen together in a messy way

      The garbage lay in piles on the street.

      pile of:

      The old house had been demolished, and there was nothing left but a pile of bricks.

  2. 2
    [countable] [often plural] informal a large amount of something

    I have to do piles of work before lunchtime.

    1. a.
      [singular] a large amount of money

      He made a pile from his investments.

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