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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about pier

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Examples of pier in a Sentence

tied the boat up at the pier

Recent Examples on the Web

Charles Tillman and Jacob Beckley docked their row boat and stretched out on a pier at 31st Street Harbor for a few minutes, completely exhausted. — Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, "Charles Tillman and his rowing partner arrive exhausted but elated after their trek across Lake Michigan for charity," 2 Sep. 2019 Jose Inez Garcia-Zarate was acquitted of murder in the killing of Kate Steinle, who was walking on a pier with her father when she was struck by a bullet in the back in July 2015. — Washington Post, "Judge sets early 2021 date for 9/11 trial," 31 Aug. 2019 Kroenung was in a boat that made it to a long pier stretching off the island. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Coming home: Remains of Marine killed in World War II buried at Miramar National Cemetery," 18 Aug. 2019 The bill also authorizes $1.6 billion to continue work in Connecticut and Virginia on the new, massive Columbia-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine and $73 million to build a new pier at the Naval Submarine Base New London. — Ana Radelat, courant.com, "House boosts military spending, sets course for 3rd submarine in Connecticut," 15 July 2019 The second incident involved two adults and four kids who had to hold onto a pier and were unable to get out of the water because of waves in excess of three feet. — Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Boaters escape injury after their kayaks capsize on Lac La Belle in Oconomowoc," 1 July 2019 Venetians have stepped up protests against the massive cruise ships in recent weeks after the MSC Opera cruise liner, run by rival MSC Cruises, lost control and collided into a busy pier earlier this month. — Bernhard Warner, Fortune, "Yellow Vests, Brexit and Cruise Backlash: Why Carnival Can't Catch a Break in Europe," 24 June 2019 That boat is an unmanned diesel electric submarine launched and recovered from a pier. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Navy Just Ordered the 'Orca,' an Extra-Large Unmanned Submarine by Boeing," 14 Feb. 2019 As Fink piloted the boat closer to the pier, David Barry and Tristan Aguirre threw a rope to one of the people in the water, who was able to clear the breakwater and swim to them. — Danny Hermosillo, Houston Chronicle, "Houston-area volunteer firefighters on fishing trip rescue capsized boaters," 13 Aug. 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.