pileup
noun
pile·up
ˈpī(-ə)l-ˌəp 
1
: a collision involving usually several motor vehicles
2
a
: a jammed tangled mass or pile (as of motor vehicles or people) resulting from collision or accumulation
b
Examples of pileup in a Sentence
A five-car pileup slowed traffic.
a pileup of e-mail messages that needed to be dealt with
Recent Examples on the Web
On Tuesday night, New York City’s color-loving partygoers braved the fierce cold, emerging from cars on Gansevoort Street clad in floor-length sequin gowns and a kaleidoscope of prints, stepping over three-foot snow pileups to enter the museum.
—
Gaby Keiderling, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
When Ward opened his door to address the crash in front of him, the pileup began.
—Nichole Manna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
About 10 people suffered from non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the pileup, the county confirmed to USA TODAY.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
And finally… ▶️ Massive pileup in snowy Michigan A 100-plus vehicle pileup in Michigan on Monday brought traffic to a standstill during dangerous whiteout conditions.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pileup
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Gaby Keiderling, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
When Ward opened his door to address the crash in front of him, the pileup began.
—Nichole Manna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
About 10 people suffered from non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the pileup, the county confirmed to USA TODAY.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
And finally… ▶️ Massive pileup in snowy Michigan A 100-plus vehicle pileup in Michigan on Monday brought traffic to a standstill during dangerous whiteout conditions.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pileup
Cite this Entry
“Pileup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pileup. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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