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   pier

   /pɪə/

   noun

   • 1. a platform on pillars projecting from the shore into the sea, typically incorporating entertainment arcades and places to eat: "the pier was the fourth longest in the country at 562 feet, with a large saloon and concert hall at the end"
   • ▪ a structure projecting from the shore into a river, lake, or the sea, used as a landing stage for boats: "to my right lies the wooden pier where boats moor during the summer" Similar jettyquaywharfdocklandinglanding stagelanding placeslipwaymarinawaterfrontbreakwatermolegroynedykesea wallembankment
   • ▪ a breakwater or mole: "work began on two basins and breakwater piers"
   • 2. a long, narrow structure projecting from an airport terminal, giving passengers access to an aircraft: British "if we got a flight from Rarotonga it would have a whole pier at the airport to itself"
   • 3. a solid support designed to sustain vertical pressure: "a raised foundation rests on four piers—concrete cylinders dug partially into the ground for stability"
   • ▪ the pillar of an arch or supporting a bridge: "the approach viaducts to the bridge consist of reinforced concrete piers supporting four main beams" Similar supportcutwaterpilepilingplinthpedestalfootfootingabutmentbuttressstanchionpropstayuprightpillarpostcolumn
   • ▪ a wall between windows or other adjacent openings: "this painting found a new home positioned in the pier between the southwest window and the door to the Red Room"

   Word Origin Middle English: from medieval Latin pera, of unknown origin.

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • P

     3

   • I

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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