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

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

pier

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In building construction, a vertical load-bearing member such as an intermediate support for adjacent ends of two bays or spans. Bulkier than a column but smaller than a wall, a pier can support an arch or beam. The lower portion of a pier may be widened to better distribute the downward pressure of a massive overlying structure. In Romanesque and Gothic architecture, a feature of the nave arcade is the compound pier, which is cross-shaped in cross section, with shafts placed in the recesses.