Pillion
/ˈpɪl.i.ən/noun
A seat or cushion for a passenger behind the main rider on a horse or motorcycle.
Did you know?Pillion is an old riding term, and its exact origin is uncertain, but it likely entered English through Scots/Irish forms tied to saddle cushions rather than any mystical meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Early Modern English
English
pillion
“A cushion or pad behind a saddle for a second rider.”
17th Century
Scots/Irish English
pillion
“A riding cushion or small saddle pad used for a passenger.”
Unknown (uncertain)
Unknown
possibly from Gaelic or Scots forms
“A term for a soft pad or cushion associated with riding gear.”
Modern English
English
pillion
“A seat for a passenger behind the rider, especially on a motorcycle.”