pier

\ ˈpir

How to pronounce pier (audio)

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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 result is a stretch of boardwalk along the edges of the fingerlike pier, and a swoop of grass on the harbor side. — BostonGlobe.com, "The famed restaurant, known for its popovers, lobster newburg, and a wall of famous diners’ pictures, closed five years ago and was later razed to make way for redevelopment. Now, the company behind that project hopes the site will once again become a place where people gather.," 15 Dec. 2019 While being outfitted and rebuilt in Baltimore, to accommodate 4,500 passengers, and reportedly headed for China, H. Graham Wood, a noted Chesapeake Bay steamboat historian, visited the ship at its Canton pier one day. — Frederick N. Rasmussen, baltimoresun.com, "'The ship that launched a nation’: Iconic piece of nautical Baltimore history to be auctioned off in Missouri," 13 Dec. 2019 This week’s trivia question: The pier fronts on the Embarcadero were built in what two architectural styles? — Gary Kamiya, SFChronicle.com, "When SF police broke the law to combat Chinatown’s violent gangs," 13 Dec. 2019 Those who have served in any navy afloat can attest to how terrifying even the thought of a mass conflagration aboard a ship is, even when pier-side. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Russia’s only carrier, damaged in shipyard accident, now on fire," 12 Dec. 2019 Taking over the sprawling, 170,000-square-foot pier, The Winter Wonderfest transforms the complex with carnival rides, a skating rink, giant slides, and a slew of holiday activities. — Joseph Hernandez, Condé Nast Traveler, "Christmas in Chicago: 23 Festive Things to Do This Season," 5 Dec. 2019 The Moshakos, who own a beachfront condo in Pompano Beach, jumped at the chance to be part of the pier area’s redevelopment. — Michael Mayo, sun-sentinel.com, "Review: Oceanic has fine seafood and a view, but service isn’t shipshape," 4 Dec. 2019 After a devastating earthquake during the season 2 premiere, now the Southern California city gets hit by a tsunami in the premiere, which wipes out much of Santa Monica, including the famed pier. — Ew Staff, EW.com, "What to Watch on Monday: Fall TV officially kicks off with The Voice, 9-1-1, and many more," 23 Sep. 2019 Heavy winds on the Outer Banks ripped siding off of homes and snapped telephone poles in half. rough surf from dorian washed away a third of this long-standing pier. — CBS News, "Dorian still slamming Canada with hurricane-force winds," 8 Sep. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

16 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Pier.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pier. Accessed 27 January 2020.

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