pier

UK: /ˈpɪə^r/ US: /pɪr/ ,(pēr)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pier /pɪr/   n. [countable]

1. Civil Engineering a structure built on posts extending from land out over water, used as a landing place for ships, etc.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pier  (pēr), n. 

1. Civil Engineering a structure built on posts extending from land out over water, used as a landing place for ships, an entertainment area, a strolling place, etc.;
   jetty.
2. Civil Engineering (in a bridge or the like) a support for the ends of adjacent spans.
3. Building a square pillar.
4. Building, Architecture a portion of wall between doors, windows, etc.
5. Building a pillar or post on which a gate or door is hung.
6. Civil Engineering, Building, Architecture a support of masonry, steel, or the like for sustaining vertical pressure.
7. a long passageway or corridor that extends from a central area of a building, esp. one at an airport that leads to boarding gates.

• Anglo-Latin pera, pēra pier of a bridge
• Middle English pere, earlier (perh. late Old English) per bef. 1150

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pier / pɪə/ noun

1. a structure with a deck that is built out over water and used as a landing place, promenade, etc
2. a pillar that bears heavy loads, esp one of rectangular cross section
3. the part of a wall between two adjacent openings
4. another name for buttress1

Etymology: 12th Century per, from Anglo-Latin pera pier supporting a bridge