pier

American  

[peer] / pɪər /

noun

1. a structure built on posts extending from land out over water, used as a landing place for ships, an entertainment area, a strolling place, etc.; jetty.

2. (in a bridge or the like) a support for the ends of adjacent spans.

3. a square pillar.

4. a portion of wall between doors, windows, etc.

5. a pillar or post on which a gate or door is hung.

6. a support of masonry, steel, or the like for sustaining vertical pressure.

7. a long passageway or corridor that extends from a central area of a building, especially one at an airport that leads to boarding gates.

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pier British  

/ pɪə /

noun

1. a structure with a deck that is built out over water, and used as a landing place, promenade, etc

2. a pillar that bears heavy loads, esp one of rectangular cross section

3. the part of a wall between two adjacent openings

4. another name for buttress

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Other Word Forms

• underpier noun

Etymology

Origin of pier

before 1150; Middle English pere, earlier (perhaps late Old English ) per < Anglo-Latin pera, pēra pier of a bridge

Example Sentences

The pier was widely viewed as a failure: It repeatedly broke apart due to bad weather, was operational for only 20 days and cost $230 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Since then, he has created installations at the festival using reclaimed materials, including Carhenge - a replica of Stonehenge built from vintage vehicles – and Glastonbury-on-Sea, a 60ft pier.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Australia’s government is investing about $5.6 billion in Stirling for things like a training center, housing, improvements to the submarine pier, a facility to handle radioactive waste, and power.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

They could have been hanging at the pier or playing video games.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

Devlin had locked it up with chains on the pier in the harbor.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

Related Words

• dam
• dock
• jetty
• promenade
• wharf