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
4
: a structural mount (as for a telescope) usually of stonework, concrete, or steel
Examples of pier in a Sentence
tied the boat up at the pier
Recent Examples on the Web
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge occurred early on March 26, 2024, when the container ship Dali lost power and struck a support pier, prompting the spans to fall into the Patapsco River.
—
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 19 Nov. 2025
The Dali, a Singaporean vessel, struck one of the piers on the Key Bridge early on the morning of March 26, 2024, causing the bridge to collapse and killing six construction workers who were filling potholes on the span.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2025
The force of the impact was nearly five times greater than the structural capacity of the pier, investigators said.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025
Parent said that in 2006, an MDTA official found bridge pier protection was inadequate, but no meaningful action was taken thereafter.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pier
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Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 19 Nov. 2025
The Dali, a Singaporean vessel, struck one of the piers on the Key Bridge early on the morning of March 26, 2024, causing the bridge to collapse and killing six construction workers who were filling potholes on the span.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2025
The force of the impact was nearly five times greater than the structural capacity of the pier, investigators said.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025
Parent said that in 2006, an MDTA official found bridge pier protection was inadequate, but no meaningful action was taken thereafter.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pier
Cite this Entry
“Pier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pier. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pier
noun1
: a support for a bridge
2
: a structure built out into the water for use as a landing place or walk or to protect or form a harbor
3
: an upright supporting part (as a pillar or buttress) of a building or structure
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