Bunker vs. Silo — What's the Difference?

A bunker is a defensive military fortification designed to protect people and valued materials from falling bombs or other attacks. Bunkers are mostly underground, in contrast to blockhouses which are mostly above ground.

A silo (from the Greek σιρός – siros, "pit for holding grain") is a structure for storing bulk materials. Silos are used in agriculture to store grain (see grain elevators) or fermented feed known as silage.

A bin or tank especially for fuel storage, as on a ship.

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

Often bunkers Fuel, such as coal or fuel oil, used especially in ships.

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

An underground fortification, often with a concrete projection above ground level for observation or gun emplacements.

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

(Sports) See sand trap.

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

To store or place (fuel) in a bunker.

To store in a silo.

(Sports) To hit (a golf ball) into a sand trap.

To isolate (a department, group, or process) within a business or organization from others

(military) A hardened shelter, often partly buried or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks.

(agriculture) A vertical building, usually cylindrical, used for the production of silage.

(nautical) A container for storing coal or fuel oil for a ship's engine; (by extension) the quantity of fuel needed to replenish that container.

(agriculture) from the shape, a building used for the storage of grain.

(rail transport) The coal compartment on a tank engine.

(military) An underground bunker used to hold missiles which may be launched.

(sports)

An organizational unit that has poor interaction with other units, negatively affecting overall performance.

(golf) A hazard on a golf course consisting of a sand-filled hollow.

A structure in the information system that is poorly networked with other structures, with data exchange hampered.

(paintball) An obstacle used to block an opposing player's view and field of fire.

A self-enclosed group of like-minded individuals.

A large bin or container for storing coal, often built outdoors in the yard of a house.

(computing) In Microsoft Windows operating systems, a kernel object for isolating groups of threads.

(Scotland)

(transitive) To store in a silo.

A sort of box or chest, as in a window, the lid of which serves as a seat.

(transitive) To separate; to isolate.

(slang) A kitchen worktop.

A pit or vat for packing away green fodder for winter use so as to exclude air and outside moisture. See Ensilage.

One who bunks off; a truant from school.

A cylindrical tower used for storing silage

The menhaden, any of several species of fish in the genera Brevoortia and Ethmidium.

Military installation consisting of an underground structure where ballistic missiles can be stored and fired

(nautical)

(transitive) To load (a vessel) with coal or fuel oil for the engine.

To take a load of coal or fuel oil for its engine.

To steal bunker fuel by illicitly siphoning it off.

To hit (a golf ball) into a bunker; to place (a golfer) in the position of having a golf ball in a bunker.

To place (someone) in a position that is difficult to get out of; to hinder.

To fire constantly at (an opponent hiding behind an obstacle), trapping them and preventing them from firing at other players; also, to eliminate (an opponent behind an obstacle) by rushing to the position and firing at extremely close range as the player becomes exposed.

(intransitive) Often followed by down: to take shelter in a bunker or other place.

A sort of chest or box, as in a window, the lid of which serves for a seat.

A large bin or similar receptacle; as, a coal bunker.

A small sand hole or pit, as on a golf course.

Hence, any rough hazardous ground on the links; also, an artificial hazard with built-up faces.

A fortified position dug into the ground, especially one which is closed on top and has protective walls and roof, e. g. of reinforced concrete. For defending positions it usually has windows to view the surrounding terrain, but as a safe location for planning operations or storage, a bunker may be completely underground with no direct access to the surface.

To drive (the ball) into a bunker.

A hazard on a golf course

A fortification of earth; mostly or entirely below ground

Hit a golf ball into a bunker

Fill (a ship's bunker) with coal or oil

Transfer cargo from a ship to a warehouse