silo (English)

Where does "silo" come from?

The English noun 'silo' comes from the Spanish word 'silo'[1]. The Spanish term itself has an unclear origin[2]. It may derive from the Latin accusative form 'sirum', meaning 'pit for corn, underground granary', which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek word 'σιρός' or 'sirós', meaning 'pit for holding grain'[2][3]. Alternatively, the Spanish word may stem from the Basque term 'zilo' or 'zulo', meaning 'grain cellar'[2]. The Ancient Greek term is likely of Pre-Greek origin[4], while the Basque form traces back to Proto-Basque '*zuLo'[5].

Open questions

• The origin of the Spanish word silo is unclear, with competing theories suggesting either a Latin derivation from Ancient Greek or a Basque origin. [1] [2]
• The Ancient Greek word siros is believed to be of Pre-Greek origin due to a lack of connections with other words. [4]

Full etymology tree

• silo (English), 'A vertical building, usually cylindrical, used for the production of silage.'
  • borrowed silo (Spanish), 'silo'
    • derived sirum (Latin)
      • inherited sirus (Latin), 'pit for storing grain, underground granary'
        • borrowed σιρός (sirós) (Ancient Greek), 'pit for storing grain'
          • derived (Pre-Greek)
    • derived zilo (Basque)
      • inherited *zuLo (Proto-Basque), 'hole'

Ancestors

• silo (Spanish)

Cognates and doublets

• silo (Spanish)

Descendants and derived words

• bag silo (English)
• missile silo (English)
• sack silo (English)
• silo bag (English)
• siloisation (English)
• siloism (English)
• siloization (English)
• silolike (English)
• silo truck (English)

Sources

1. silo (English) - Wiktionary
2. silo (Spanish) - Wiktionary
3. sirus (Latin) - Wiktionary
4. σιρός (sirós) (Ancient Greek) - Wiktionary
5. zulo (Basque) - Wiktionary

Updated September 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris