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Silos vs. Siloes: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Silos" and "Siloes" are the same, referring to large towers for storing bulk materials; "Silos" is the more commonly used spelling.
Silos vs. Siloes

Key Differences

In English, the word "Silos" is the plural form of "silo," which denotes a tall tower or pit on a farm used to store grain or bulk materials. It's also used metaphorically to refer to a system, process, or department that operates in isolation from others. Each use of the term "Silos" is a reflection of its role in both agricultural and organizational contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
"Siloes," on the other hand, is an alternative plural spelling of "silo." Though less common, it is considered acceptable and follows a pattern in English where nouns ending in 'o' gain an 'es' in the plural form. Like "Silos," "Siloes" can also refer to actual grain storage structures or to isolated systems within an organization.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
The term "Silos" is more frequently used in American English and is the preferred term in agricultural and professional settings. Its usage in sentences is straightforward and denotes either the physical grain storage containers or the abstract concept of compartmentalization within organizations. The prevalence of "Silos" makes it more recognizable to most English speakers.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Despite being less common, "Siloes" maintains the same definitions and applications as "Silos." It can be found in various texts and contexts, although it might appear less frequently in everyday language. Whether one uses "Silos" or "Siloes" can be a matter of personal or regional preference, but both convey the same ideas.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Ultimately, the choice between "Silos" and "Siloes" comes down to stylistic preference, as there is no difference in meaning between the two. Publishers, dictionaries, and style guides may have distinct preferences, and these may shift over time as language evolves. Currently, "Silos" is the dominant form, but "Siloes" remains an acceptable alternative.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Spelling

More common spelling
Less common spelling
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Usage

Preferred in American English
Used but less preferred
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Definition

No difference
No difference
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Plurality

Plural form of 'silo'
Alternative plural form of 'silo'
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Recognition

More widely recognized and used
Less recognized, but still understood
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Silos and Siloes Definitions

Silos

Large tower for storing and fermenting grain.
Farmers filled the silos with corn for winter.
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Nov 08, 2023

Siloes

Towers or pits on a farm for preserving grain or silage.
Siloes are essential for feed storage through the winter.
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Silos

Military underground chamber for missiles.
The missile was launched from its silo.
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Siloes

Separate units within an organization lacking interaction.
She aimed to break down the siloes within the corporation.
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Silos

Container or pit used in bulk material storage.
The cement silos at the plant hold thousands of tons.
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Siloes

Missiles housing facilities in a military context.
The army decommissioned the old nuclear siloes.
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Silos

Part of a system that operates separately from others.
Company growth was hindered by departmental silos.
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Siloes

Alternative plural of a structure for storing bulk materials.
He built two new siloes on the south field.
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Silos

Tall cylinder structure on a farm.
The skyline was marked by several silos.
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Siloes

Vertical containers in industrial settings.
The new factory design includes several siloes for material storage.
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Silos

A usually tall cylindrical structure, typically next to a barn, in which silage is produced and stored.
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Oct 19, 2023

Siloes

(dated) silo
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Silos

Any of several other structures or containers used for the same purpose, such as a covered trench or a polyethylene bag.
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Oct 19, 2023

Silos

An underground shelter for a missile, usually equipped to launch the missile or to raise it into a launching position.
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Oct 19, 2023

Silos

Each of the various departments, groups, or processes within a business or organization where work is done in isolation apart from the others.
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Oct 19, 2023

Silos

To store in a silo.
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Oct 19, 2023

Silos

To isolate (a department, group, or process) within a business or organization from others
“Taking a cue from the finance world, he divided the company's departments into 30 distinct units, meaning that the shoe department was siloed from, say, the menswear department” (Gaby Del Valle).
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Oct 19, 2023

Silos

Plural of silo
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Do "Silos" only refer to agricultural structures?

No, "Silos" can also refer to missile storage or isolated organizational systems.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Can "Siloes" be used in academic writing?

Yes, but "Silos" is preferred for consistency.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Which is the correct plural form, "Silos" or "Siloes"?

Both "Silos" and "Siloes" are correct, with "Silos" being more commonly used.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Why are organizational barriers referred to as "Silos"?

Because they represent compartments that are closed off like grain silos.
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Nov 08, 2023

Is the meaning of "Silos" and "Siloes" different?

No, "Silos" and "Siloes" have the same meanings.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Is one spelling more modern than the other between "Silos" and "Siloes"?

No, they are both modern, but "Silos" is more common.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Are "Siloes" found in reputable dictionaries?

Yes, "Siloes" can be found in several dictionaries as an alternative spelling.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Do "Siloes" have a different pronunciation than "Silos"?

No, they are pronounced the same.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Can "Silos" ever be singular?

No, the singular form is "silo."
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Do "Siloes" imply a negative connotation in business?

Yes, as they suggest undesirable separation between departments.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Can "Silos" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "Silos" can metaphorically describe isolated systems or departments within an organization.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Which industries use the term "Silos"?

Agriculture, military, and corporate sectors all use the term "Silos."
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Nov 08, 2023

What is the origin of "Silos"?

It originates from the Greek word "siros," meaning a pit to keep corn.
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How do you reduce "Silos" in an organization?

By promoting communication and collaboration across departments.
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Nov 08, 2023

Why might someone choose to use "Siloes" over "Silos"?

Personal preference or stylistic choice in writing.
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Nov 08, 2023

Are "Silos" used in information technology?

Yes, referring to isolated data management systems.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Are "Siloes" typically made of a specific material?

They can be made of metal, concrete, or wood.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Can "Silos" be a verb?

No, "siloed" is the verb form, meaning to isolate or compartmentalize.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Do "Siloes" impact company culture?

Yes, they can negatively affect the openness and collaborative nature of a company culture.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

Are there any famous "Silos" landmarks?

Yes, several farms and industrial sites with notable silos are recognized landmarks.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023

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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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