PIER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pier mean? 

• PIER (noun)
  The noun PIER has 3 senses:

1. a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

2. (architecture) a vertical supporting structure (as a portion of wall between two doors or windows)

3. a support for two adjacent bridge spans

  Familiarity information: PIER used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PIER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

dock; pier; wharf; wharfage

Hypernyms ("pier" is a kind of...):

platform (a raised horizontal surface)

Meronyms (parts of "pier"):

bitt; bollard (a strong post (as on a wharf or quay or ship for attaching mooring lines))

shipside (the part of a wharf that is next to a ship)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "pier"):

levee (a pier that provides a landing place on a river)

quay (wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(architecture) a vertical supporting structure (as a portion of wall between two doors or windows)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("pier" is a kind of...):

support (any device that bears the weight of another thing)

Domain category:

architecture (the discipline dealing with the principles of design and construction and ornamentation of fine buildings)

Holonyms ("pier" is a part of...):

wall (an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A support for two adjacent bridge spans

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("pier" is a kind of...):

support (any device that bears the weight of another thing)

Holonyms ("pier" is a part of...):

bridge; span (a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.)

 Context examples 

A great viaduct runs across, with high piers, through which the view seems somehow further away than it really is.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

When we reached Albion Place they were out; we went after them, and found them on the pier: Mrs. and the two Miss Sneyds, with others of their acquaintance.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted and melancholy looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves on the sea-shore; and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze on a first return to the sea, who ever deserved to look on it at all, proceeded towards the Cobb, equally their object in itself and on Captain Wentworth's account: for in a small house, near the foot of an old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles settled.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Between the two piers there is a narrow opening into the harbour, which then suddenly widens.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

When I arrived, however, I found already assembled on the pier a crowd, whom the coastguard and police refused to allow to come on board.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

At the edge of the West Cliff above the pier I looked across the harbour to the East Cliff, in the hope or fear—I don't know which—of seeing Lucy in our favourite seat.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Thus the coastguard on duty on the eastern side of the harbour, who at once ran down to the little pier, was the first to climb on board.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The band on the pier is playing a harsh waltz in good time, and further along the quay there is a Salvation Army meeting in a back street.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

It was found necessary to clear the entire piers from the mass of onlookers, or else the fatalities of the night would have been increased manifold.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

What it was, whether man or beast, I could not tell; I did not wait to catch another glance, but flew down the steep steps to the pier and along by the fish-market to the bridge, which was the only way to reach the East Cliff.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)