silo
/ˈsi.lo/masculine
The English word "silo" is translated into Italian as silo.
The word silo refers to a vertical building used for the storage of grain.
Meaning: vertical building for storing grain (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈsi.lo/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word silo was borrowed from Spanish rather than being derived from Latin or an indigenous Italian root.
- In Italian, silo is used beyond agriculture to describe 'silo missili', which are underground storage bunkers for ballistic missiles.
- In a metaphorical sense, an Italian might describe a 'mentalità a silo' to criticize a corporate culture where departments refuse to share information.
Examples in context
- Il grano viene conservato nel silo.The grain is stored in the silo.
- Il silo è quasi pieno.The silo is almost full.
- Hanno costruito un nuovo silo di metallo.They built a new metal silo.
- Il grano è nel silo.The grain is in the silo.
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are walking through a farm.
- MatteoGuarda quel grande silo, Chiara.Look at that big silo, Chiara.
- ChiaraÈ molto alto, vero?It is very tall, right?
- MatteoSì, serve per conservare il raccolto.Yes, it is used to store the harvest.
- ChiaraCapisco, è molto utile per l'azienda.I see, it is very useful for the farm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silo” translations and entries silo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries silo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
