pier

noun

ˈpir How to pronounce pier (audio)
Synonyms of piernext
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 of pier

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Examples of pier in a Sentence

tied the boat up at the pier
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pier-to-pier walk in Southern California’s South Bay was supported by boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, celebrity TV host Brooke Burke, actor Nate Simon and baseball icons Chris Taylor, Kyle Karros and Jared Karros. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Extreme waves that winter destroyed one-third of the Santa Monica Pier and tore off large sections of the Huntington Beach Pier and the Paradise Cove Pier, while also damaging the Seal Beach, San Clemente and Malibu piers. — Gary Griggs, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 The county maintains the underwater land that would house the marina piers is part of the same piece of real estate as the upland Seaquarium property. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 In 2024, the city added about 200,000 cubic yards of sand near the pier and 37,000 cubic yards just up the coast at North Beach, the first step in what will be a decades-long process of restoring the beaches. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pier

Word History

Etymology

Middle English per, from Old English, from Medieval Latin pera

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pier was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing pier

Rhymes for pier

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Browse Nearby Words

pieprint
pier
pierage
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Cite this Entry

“Pier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pier. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pier

noun
ˈpi(ə)r How to pronounce pier (audio)
1
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on pier

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pier

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