pier

pier — noun

1. a built walkway that starts on land and stretches over the water, where people s

1.名詞C1
釋義

a built walkway that starts on land and stretches over the water, where people stroll, fish, or spend time at cafes and rides

例句

Emma and her cousins bought hot chips on the old pier.

pleasure pier used for strolling and snacks

At sunset, tourists stopped along the pier to watch fishing boats.

walk along the pier

同義詞
  • boardwalk

    usually runs beside the shore rather than out over the water

  • jetty

    often narrower and more practical, sometimes built to protect the shore

  • promenade

    a public place for walking, usually on land by the sea

  • wharf

    more strongly linked with loading boats or goods than leisure

文法句型

walk along the pier

on the pier

at the end of the pier

用法筆記

Common for a pleasure pier in a seaside town, especially one with food stalls, rides, or fishing spots. Distinguish from sense 2, which is named for people getting on and off boats.

常見錯誤

❌We ate ice cream on the dock after the concert.
✅We ate ice cream on the pier after the concert.
💡a pleasure pier is made for people to walk and relax on; a dock is mainly for boats.

2. a low platform beside the water where a boat stops so passengers can get on or o

2.名詞C1
釋義

a low platform beside the water where a boat stops so passengers can get on or off

例句

The tour boat leaves from the pier beside the green ticket office.

leave from the pier

Workers held the rope steady while passengers stepped onto the pier.

step onto the pier

同義詞
  • dock

    common general word, especially in North American English, for a place where boats stop

  • landing stage

    more exact term for a platform used for getting on and off boats

  • wharf

    often larger and more connected with cargo as well as passengers

文法句型

leave from the pier

pull up at the pier

step onto the pier

用法筆記

Often used with ferry, river bus, or a numbered pier in timetables. Distinguish from sense 1, where the structure is a destination for walking or entertainment.

常見錯誤

❌We waited the ferry in the pier.
✅We waited for the ferry at the pier.
💡use 'at the pier' for the place and 'wait for' with the boat.

3. a thick upright support that holds up part of a bridge, roof, wall, or similar s

3.名詞C1
釋義

a thick upright support that holds up part of a bridge, roof, wall, or similar structure

例句

Engineers checked each concrete pier before reopening the highway bridge.

bridge pier / concrete pier

The old station roof still rests on four stone piers.

roof rests on piers

同義詞
  • pillar

    general word for an upright support, often in buildings

  • column

    often suggests a shaped architectural support rather than a bridge support

  • stanchion

    usually thinner and narrower than a pier

文法句型

bridge pier

roof rests on piers

pier supporting [structure]

用法筆記

Common in engineering and building contexts and often modified by material words such as concrete, stone, or steel. In bridge use, a pier supports spans from below rather than carrying traffic across.

常見錯誤

❌The bridge stands on two big columns in the river.
✅The bridge stands on two big piers in the river.
💡for the main supports under bridge spans, 'pier' is the exact word.