Definition of silo

The word "silo" derives from the Norwegian and Icelandic word "sýrla" which means "ice preserving place." In the 19th century, farmers in Scandinavia began using ice stored during harsh winters to cool their summer milk. This allowed the milk to ferment into a thick, sour product, similar to modern-day yogurt. The excess whey (liquid) was then left to freeze, which preserved the remaining milk for future use. The cold and dark space where the ice was stored became known as a "sýrla" in Norwegian or "sýrlaga" in Icelandic. When silos (large structures for storing grain, fertilizer, or feed) were first built in the mid-19th century, loads of Norwegian and Icelandic immigrants brought with them this familiar word "sýrla." Although its intended use was different, the farmers in North America began to call their newly built grain storage structures "silo" for their resemblance to the old "sýrla." From its origins as an ice preservation chamber, the term "silo" became associated with any structure used for large-scale storage, leading to its use in industries beyond agriculture. Today, silos are used in a variety of contexts, including chemical processing, waste management, and transportation. Regardless of the specific application, the name "silo" still invokes the image of a large, cylindrical structure used for storing bulk materials, which is a far cry from the cubical "ice preserving place" of Scandinavian heritage.