pier
/pɪɹ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.82 in modern English
6
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A raised platform built from the shore out over water, supported on piles; used to secure, or provide access to shipping; a jetty.
noun
A similar structure, especially at a seaside resort, used to provide entertainment.
noun
A structure supporting the junction between two spans of a bridge.
Example Sentences
- "Your boat is docked at the pier."
- "There is a gaming arcade on the pier."
- "A fresh breeze comes off the water and down the pier."
- "Ryde Pier's claim to fame is being the world's oldest seaside pleasure pier, with construction starting in 1813."
- "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."
- "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."
Etymology
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.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /pɪɹ/
- British English: /pɪə/