# pier

/ˈpɪɹ/ (US) · /pˈiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pier
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. for boats and ships

noun · CEFR B1

a platform built from the shore into the water where boats can stop and people can get on or off.

For teachers: a structure extending into navigable water for use as a landing place or promenade, typically supported by piles or pillars.

- The ferry pulled up to the pier to let the passengers off.
- The cargo ship was moored at the deep-water pier, where cranes worked through the night to unload the shipping containers.

### 2. for entertainment

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a long structure at a beach with shops, games, and places to walk over the sea.

For teachers: a recreational structure extending from a seaside resort into the sea, often featuring amusements, pavilions, and walkways.

- We spent the afternoon playing games and eating ice cream on the pier.
- The Victorian pier remains the town's primary tourist attraction, housing a vintage theatre and several traditional arcade halls.

### 3. bridge support

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a strong pillar that holds up a bridge.

For teachers: an intermediate support for the adjacent ends of two bridge spans.

- The bridge has several large stone piers that sit in the middle of the river.
- Engineers inspected the concrete piers for signs of erosion caused by the unusually strong river currents during the spring thaw.

### 4. architectural pillar

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a heavy square post or pillar that supports a roof, a wall, or a large gate.

For teachers: a vertical member of a building or structure, often rectangular, used to support an arch, wall, or heavy gate.

- The heavy iron gates were attached to two tall brick piers.
- The cathedral's massive stone piers were designed to distribute the weight of the vaulted ceiling down to the foundation.

### 5. airport walkway

noun · CEFR B2

a long part of an airport building that leads to the gates where you get on a plane.

For teachers: a corridor-like extension of an airport terminal building that provides access to aircraft gates.

- Our flight is leaving from Pier B, so we have a long walk ahead of us.
- The airport expansion includes a new pier equipped with twenty additional boarding gates to handle increased international traffic.

## Examples

- We walked to the end of the pier to watch the sunset.
- The old wooden pier was renovated last year to include several small shops and a seafood restaurant.
- The structural integrity of the Victorian pier was compromised by decades of saltwater corrosion, necessitating a complete replacement of the original iron supports.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.