peer

¹ American  

[peer] / pɪər /

verb (used without object)

1. to look narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.

2. to peep out or appear slightly.

3. to come into view.

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peer ² American  

[peer] / pɪər /

noun

1. a person of the same legal status.

   a jury of one's peers.

2. a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status.

3. something of equal worth or quality.

   a skyscraper without peer.

4. a nobleman.

5. a member of any of the five degrees of the nobility in Great Britain and Ireland (duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron).

6. Computers.

   1. a network connected to one or more other networks in a way that routes traffic independently between them in a direct exchange of data.

   2. a computer or device that is connected to others in a network, either directly or through a server.

7. Archaic. a companion.

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verb (used without object)

1. Computers. (of a network) to be connected with one or more other networks in a way that routes traffic independently between them in a direct exchange of data (usually followed bywith ).

peer ¹ British  

/ pɪə /

noun

1. a member of a nobility; nobleman

2. a person who holds any of the five grades of the British nobility: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron See also life peer

3. 1. a person who is an equal in social standing, rank, age, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      peer pressure

4. archaic a companion; mate

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peer ² British  

/ pɪə /

verb

1. to look intently with or as if with difficulty

   to peer into the distance

2. to appear partially or dimly

   the sun peered through the fog

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Related Words

See peep ¹.

Etymology

Origin of peer¹

First recorded in 1560–70; perhaps a variant of appear

Origin of peer²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English per, from Old French per, from Latin pār “equal, an equal, partner”

Example Sentences

"I think given where we are, we do need to be thinking and talking about extending it or enlarging it," the Labour peer told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The peer group broadly slid as investors fretted over the prospect of higher fuel prices for longer as the war in Iran dragged on.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Haight is now pursuing a doctorate in autism studies at Towson University in Maryland, and hosts meetings for autistic peer support groups.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Morgans cuts its target price 11% to A$2.98 on lower peer multiples but maintains an outperform rating.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

She would peel back my eyelids and look at my eyeballs, peer down in my ears, and punch around on me with her fingers.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• gape
• gawk
• give the eagle eye
• glare
• peep
• snoop
• squint
• stare