pied-à-terre

noun

pē-ˌā-də-ˈter How to pronounce pied-à-terre (audio)
-ˌā-dä-;
ˌpyā-dä-
plural pieds-à-terre pē-ˌā-də-ˈter How to pronounce pied-à-terre (audio)
-ˌā-dä-;
ˌpyā-dä-
: a temporary or second lodging

Examples of pied-à-terre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That dream became a reality in this Portland pied-a-terre for Sara Fritsch, the former president of Schoolhouse Electric. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pied-à-terre.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, foot to the ground

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pied-à-terre was in 1823

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near pied-à-terre

Cite this Entry

“Pied-à-terre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pied-%C3%A0-terre. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

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