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

That evening their car slid down the slipway of a pier and into Lough Swilly.

From BBC

And so we stood between piers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas.

From Literature

On the day we met, as we strolled along Santa Monica pier in the sunshine, the spectre of war still loomed over him.

From BBC

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

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

From Literature

Related Words

• dam
• dock
• jetty
• promenade
• wharf