pier

noun \ ˈpir \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of pier

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

2 : a structure (such 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: such 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

See pier defined for English-language learners

See pier defined for kids

Examples of pier in a Sentence

tied the boat up at the pier

Recent Examples of pier from the Web

The 8,000-square-foot facility features two banquet halls, meeting rooms and a pier.

— martin e. comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Tavares looks to add performing arts center to booming downtown," 15 June 2018
The pier provides shade and shelter, places for the fish to hide.

— denys bucksten, chicagotribune.com, "Rainy weather proves to be an advantage at Vernon Hills Kids Fishing Day," 11 June 2018
The pier is held in place by chains and concrete blocks.

— Fox News, "USS Arizona Memorial repairs ongoing after cracks discovered on floating pier," 10 June 2018
The other two piers have been repaired in prior years, and repairs to the third are in Glassman’s capital budget for fiscal 2019, but they are not expected to be done in time for the tournament, according to Perrone.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford councilman challenges awarding of county tourism grants," 7 June 2018
Four baby stingrays tumbled out of the new mother and onto the pier.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Texas fishermen reeled in a pregnant stingray — then witnessed the miracle of life," 29 May 2018
But motifs of blue whales flying above piers to tattoos on movie stars work to defy drowsy stereotypes.

— danielle fox, ELLE Decor, "Martyn Lawrence Bullard Gives the Hotel Californian a Dose of Funk," 29 May 2018
The pier's gleaming white pipelines are connected to U.S. Oil's storage tanks and facilities on Jones Island where liquid petroleum gas, or LPG, is also stored.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "First fuel shipments in a decade leave Port of Milwaukee this spring, raising concerns," 24 May 2018
One of the biggest drivers has been Brooklyn Bridge Park, a 1.3-mile space stretching along the waterfront, with playgrounds, sports fields and green spaces, as well as a hotel and condominiums, where longshoremen used to work the piers.

— New York Times, "Brooklyn Heights: 19th-Century Streets and 21st-Century Changes," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pier.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pier

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

pier Synonyms

Synonyms

dock, float, jetty, landing, levee, quay, wharf;

Related Words

berth, mooring, slip;

dockyard, marina, quayage, shipyard, wharfage;

Other Nautical Terms

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

PIER Defined for English Language Learners

pier

noun

Definition of pier for English Language Learners

: a structure that goes out from a shore into the water

PIER Defined for Kids

pier

noun \ ˈpir \

Definition of pier for Students

1 : a support for a bridge

2 : a structure built out into the water as a place for boats to dock or for people to walk or to protect or form a harbor

Learn More about pier

See words that rhyme with pier Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pier Spanish Central: Translation of pier Nglish: Translation of pier for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pier for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pier

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pier

Definition of pier

Examples of pier in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pier from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pier

pier Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Nautical Terms

PIER Defined for English Language Learners

pier

Definition of pier for English Language Learners

PIER Defined for Kids

pier

Definition of pier for Students

Learn More about pier

Seen and Heard

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