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pier

noun

Simple meaning

A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

pir
US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈpɪɹ

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

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

  2. A raised platform built from the shore out over water, supported on piles; used to secure, or provide access to shipping; a jetty.

  3. A similar structure, especially at a seaside resort, used to provide entertainment.

  4. A support for two adjacent bridge spans

  5. architecture

    A rectangular pillar, or similar structure, that supports an arch, wall or roof, or the hinges of a gate.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
B1 · Intermediate (estimated)
Frequency
Moderately Common
Typical Use
General and technical use

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: A similar structure, especially at a seaside resort, used to provide entertainment.

Used this way, pier is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
Matter-of-fact
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use pier

  • “They walked along the pier, enjoying the ocean breeze.”

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

pier glassfishing pierlong piercentral pierstone piernavy pierbridge piernorth pier

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Word Family

Related forms, grouped by how they connect.

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

  • pier archnounCompound term

    An arch supported on piers.

  • pier mirrornounCompound term

    A large mirror between two windows.

  • pier tablenounCompound term

    A low table set below a pier glass.

  • pier glassnounCompound term

    A large mirror between two windows.

Related Words

Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.