pier

pier

noun \ˈpir\

Definition of PIER

1

: an intermediate support for the adjacent ends of two bridge spans

2

: a structure (as a breakwater) extending into navigable water for use as a landing place or promenade or to protect or form a harbor

3

: a vertical structural support: as a : the wall between two openings b : pillar, pilaster c : a vertical member that supports the end of an arch or lintel d : an auxiliary mass of masonry used to stiffen a wall

4

: a structural mount (as for a telescope) usually of stonework, concrete, or steel

Examples of PIER

1. <tied the boat up at the pier>

Origin of PIER

Middle English per, from Old English, from Medieval Latin pera

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to PIER

Synonyms: float, jetty, landing, levee, dock, quai, quay, wharf

Related Words: berth, mooring, slip; embarcadero [West]; dockyard, marina, quayage, shipyard, wharfage

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

Rhymes with PIER

beer, bier, blear, cere, cheer, clear, dear, deer, Deere, drear, ear, fear, fere, fleer, gear, hear, here, jeer, leer, mere, mir, near, peer, Pierre, queer, rear, schmear, sear, seer, sere, shear, sheer, skirr, smear, sneer, spear, speer, sphere, steer, tear, tier, Trier, Tyr, veer, weir, year