Pier Meaning
/pɪə/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA raised platform built from the shore out over water, supported on piles; used to secure, or provide access to shipping; a jetty.
nounA similar structure, especially at a seaside resort, used to provide entertainment.
Sentence Examples
Jim went fishing from the pier.
All at once the ship left the pier.
We stood on the pier and watched as they embarked.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The fishing boat was tied tightly to the wooden ____ at the harbor.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The fishermen cast their lines from the end of the wooden ____ that stretched out into the bay.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English pere (“bridge pillar, breakwater”), from either Anglo-Norman pere (“stone”, from Latin petra) or Old French *piere (Old Northern French pire, from either Late Latin *petricus or pēra "satchel"); compare Medieval Latin pira.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A fresh breeze comes off the water and down the pier."
— 1992, Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash, page 234:
"Ryde Pier's claim to fame is being the world's oldest seaside pleasure pier, with construction starting in 1813."
— 2023 March 22, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Island Line to reopen to Ryde Pier in June... possibly”, in RAIL, number 979, page 24:
"The force of the explosion demolished one pair of piers and two spans of the bridge crashed down into the river on top of the barges."
— 1961 January, “Talking of Trains: The Severn Bridge disaster”, in Trains Illustrated, page 5:
"The new £216m pier will be used by all airlines currently operating out of T2, with more and more flights gradually moving over to the new pier once it becomes fully operational."
— 2019 April 2, “Manchester Airport opens new pier at Terminal 2”, in Airport Technology:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The fishing boat was tied tightly to the wooden ____ at the harbor.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The fishermen cast their lines from the end of the wooden ____ that stretched out into the bay.