Spanish word

pila

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpila/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbattery

Example

La pila del control remoto está descargada.

The battery in the remote control is dead.

Illustration for pila (battery)

More examples

Compré una pila de botón para el reloj.

I bought a button battery for the watch.

Core concept

Portable energy cell that stores chemical energy and produces electricity.

Common phrases

  • cambiar la pila

    change the battery

  • pila alcalina

    alkaline battery

  • pila de botón

    button battery

Similar words

batería: Battery pack or system that stores substantial power to operate appliances, tools, or vehicles.

Definition in Spanish

Pequeño elemento que almacena energía química y la libera en forma eléctrica para alimentar dispositivos portátiles.

Word origin

From Latin pila 'stack, column', the label for Volta's stacked apparatus ('pile') was transferred to electrochemical cells and into modern Spanish as pila.

Usage tips

  • Product labels commonly say 'pilas alcalinas' for alkaline cells or 'pilas recargables' for rechargeable ones, useful phrases when shopping.

Other meanings

  • pilenoun
  • sinknoun

Related words

  • apilarstackverb
  • apilamientostackingnoun
  • apiladostackedadjective

Word lists with this word