pier

noun

\ˈpir

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

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Examples of pier in a Sentence

tied the boat up at the pier

Recent Examples on the Web

The weather service said current conditions could create currents than can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents or piers and jetties. — CBS News, "Tropical Storm Chris expected to strengthen to hurricane off East Coast," 9 July 2018 Jumping off the pier or chugging along in the paddleboat is the daytime pastime, not video games or Netflix. — Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin's highest point - Timm's Hill - is a quiet escape away from everything," 5 July 2018 Rip currents most often occur at low spots or breaks in sandbars and near structures such as jetties and piers. — Bruce Henderson, charlotteobserver, "Be wary of these NC natural wonders this summer," 25 June 2018 Instead more than 500 sailors stood side-by-side on ships and piers to surprise him. — Washington Post, "Sailors honor Pearl Harbor survivor during one last visit," 21 June 2018 In addition, builders are burying power lines along 16th Avenue that feed the Centennial Park fishing pier and adjacent public restrooms, installing utilities and constructing a public access area. — Michelle Baruchman, The Seattle Times, "Bicyclists, pedestrians to be rerouted as stretch of Elliott Bay Trail in Seattle closes for improvements," 11 June 2018 The city is generally content to host cruise ships, local officials say: Liners anchor roughly a mile away from the pier and ferry passengers over on tender boats, injecting tourists by the thousands into the heart of the region. — San Francisco Chronicle, "federal laws didn’t prohibit discharges into the sanctuary," 2 June 2018 Fishermen often part with its large head at sea, says Basil, who purchases his supply directly off the Boston fish pier. — Rachel Ellner, BostonGlobe.com, "Marsala brings out the beauty in monkfish," 14 May 2018 The community park has a small beach and large pier jutting out onto the popular lake that has a lot of recreational boating activity. — Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Highlands County: Home of the hookiemelt," 6 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.