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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

pierce

/pɪɹs/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does pierce mean?

verb

  1. To puncture; to break through.
  2. To create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry.
  3. to break or interrupt abruptly
More meanings (15)

verb

  1. (figuratively) To get to the heart or crux of (a matter).
  2. (figuratively) To penetrate; to affect deeply.

noun

  1. A piercing.
  2. A pierced earring.

proper noun

  1. A male given name from Ancient Greek, medieval variant of Piers. Modern usage may also derive from the surname.
  2. A surname originating as a patronymic.
  3. A town in Weld County, Colorado.
  4. A minor city in Clearwater County, Idaho.
  5. An unincorporated community in Wilton Township, Will County, Illinois.
  6. An unincorporated community in Green County, Kentucky.
  7. A city, the county seat of Pierce County, Nebraska.
  8. An unincorporated community in Wharton County, Texas.
  9. An unincorporated community and coal town in Tucker County, West Virginia.
  10. A town in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.
  11. A number of townships, listed under Pierce Township.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/pɪɹs/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

While the travelers were trying to pierce the profound darkness, a brilliant cluster of shooting stars burst upon their eyes.
Jules VerneFrom the Earth to the moon; and, round the moonProject Gutenberg ebook #83
He is able to pierce a corslet with his eye, talks like a knell, and his hum is a battery.
William ShakespeareThe Complete Works of William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg ebook #100
More book examples (3)
If the sun pierce the mist, the whole lights up with iridescent fires and becomes a resplendent cluster of diamonds.
Jean-Henri FabreThe Life of the SpiderTranslated by Alexander Teixeira de MattosProject Gutenberg ebook #1887
When air seemed to go upwards and fire to pierce through air—when water and earth fell downward, they were seeking their native elements.
PlatoTimaeusTranslated by Benjamin JowettProject Gutenberg ebook #1572
In a similar manner they pierce the lips and cheeks with long pins and bore the tongue with a hot iron.
George M. (George Milbrey) Gould; Walter L. (Walter Lytle) PyleAnomalies and Curiosities of MedicineProject Gutenberg ebook #747