a pillion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pillion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a seat for a passenger on a motorcycle or bicycle, positioned behind the main seat. Example: "She hopped on the motorcycle and settled comfortably on a pillion, ready for the ride."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

A pillion is the second seat on a motorcycle.

The New York Times

Local youths with two-wheeled transport were paid a few lire to take a pillion passenger to the match.

The Guardian - Sport

All suspects were wearing full-face crash helmets and most, if not all, of the motorbikes were carrying a pillion passenger, the Met said.

The Guardian

But it is time to build a new American century.Mr Rubio did not ride a very large motorcycle to the Roast and Ride, though Ms Ernst did kindly offer to give him a lift on hers, as a pillion passenger.

The Economist

Derryck John, 17, from Croydon, south London, was riding as a pillion passenger when he sprayed six victims in the face and stole two mopeds in north and east London on July 13 last year.

The Times

Brian Meehan, convicted at a previous trial of Ms Guerin's murder, drove a Kawasaki motorcycle with the gunman, who was not named in court, riding as a pillion passenger.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The bicycle-style sprung solo seat is comfortably large, and a passenger pillion will be available as a dealer option.

The New York Times

Chibok lay at the end of the dust road, and over the next 10 days, she rode a motorbike pillion across its 10 wards, trying to persuade one family in each district to accept a scholarship for their traumatised daughter.

The Guardian

A few weeks later, I was driven to the Tottenham clubhouse of the Thames Outcasts by Kev, the president, in his old Jaguar XJS (he thought I'd make a nervous pillion rider on his Harley, and he was right).

The Guardian

My budget didn't allow for the compulsory armed escort and, anyway, it seemed a little cowardly to have a guard riding pillion.

Huffington Post

Standing on the pillion, a youth also in green waves a green flag.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about motorcycles or bicycles, use "a pillion" to clearly indicate a seat specifically designed for a passenger behind the rider.

Common error

Avoid using "a pillion" to refer to any passenger seat. This term specifically denotes the seat behind the driver or rider, primarily on motorcycles or bicycles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pillion" functions primarily as a noun phrase, referring to a specific type of seat. It often appears as a modifier, such as in "a pillion passenger", as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pillion" correctly identifies a seat for a passenger behind the rider, primarily on motorcycles or bicycles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. This phrase frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts. When using the phrase, it's best to reserve it for rear seats of a motorcycle or a bicycle and it can often be substituted with alternative phrases such as "passenger seat" or "rear seat" for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a passenger seat

Focuses on the function of the pillion as a seat for a passenger.

a rear seat

Highlights the pillion's position at the back.

a second seat

Emphasizes the pillion as an additional seating option.

riding as passenger

Shifts focus from the seat to the act of being a passenger on a vehicle.

sitting behind

Describes the act of sitting behind the rider.

a back seat

Alternative way to define the position of the passenger, but it is less used for motorcycles.

being a back rider

Informal way to define riding as a passenger.

a motorcycle passenger

Specifies that the passenger is on a motorcycle.

riding tandem

Describes riding together, one behind the other.

a dual seat

A dual seat designed for two people.

FAQs

What is "a pillion"?

"A pillion" is a seat for a passenger behind the rider, usually on a motorcycle or bicycle.

How do I use "a pillion" in a sentence?

Example: "She rode as "a pillion" passenger on the motorcycle".

Is it correct to say "riding a pillion"?

It is more common to say "riding "as passenger"" or "riding on the pillion".

What are some alternative terms for "a pillion"?

Alternatives include "passenger seat", "rear seat", or simply "back seat", though these may not always be as specific to motorcycles or bicycles.