pierce
verb
\ ˈpirs
\
\
pierced;
piercing
Definition of pierce
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: to run into or through as a pointed weapon does : stab
b
: to enter or thrust into sharply or painfully
2
: to make a hole through : perforate
3
: to force or make a way into or through
4
: to penetrate with the eye or mind : discern
5
: to penetrate so as to move or touch the emotions of
: to force a way into or through something
Pierce
biographical name
\ ˈpirs
\
\
Definition of Pierce (Entry 2 of 2)
Franklin 1804–1869 14th president of the U.S. (1853–57)
Keep scrolling for more
Examples of pierce in a Sentence
Verb
The needle pierced her skin. The bullet pierced his lung. The needle pierced into her skin. The bullet pierced through his lung. A scream pierced the silence.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Power was, in this antediluvian period, a voice of piercing moral clarity. — Washington Post, "Can an uncompromising activist keep her integrity while working in the White House?," 6 Sep. 2019 Muschietti is certainly a gifted visualist, lending poignancy to an engaging first act with dreamlike segues that pierce the metaphysical veil and tighten the cosmic tapestry that unites the Losers. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Overlong ‘It Chapter Two’ confronts scarier evils than Pennywise the clown," 5 Sep. 2019 In 2006, ‘‘Crocodile Hunter’’ Steve Irwin, 44, died after a stingray’s barb pierced his chest. — BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 4 Sep. 2019 At least one bullet had hit the door jamb and another pierced the wall of their apartment mere feet from where their children were sitting on the sofa playing video games, the couple said. — Washington Post, "Balloons and bloodstains: Police still investigating shooting at toddler’s birthday party that left seven wounded," 26 Aug. 2019 Using a small spoon, pierce through the solid butter at the edge and down to the bottom of the cup and remove a small scoop of the butter. — Los Angeles Times, "Armenian Shortbread With Cardamom and Mahleb," 26 Aug. 2019 The bullet passed through his lower back, piercing his lower intestines and organs. — Fox News, "David Ortiz shares first photos since Dominican Republic shooting, looking into attack independently," 26 Aug. 2019 No wails or cries pierced the air in the church; mourners quietly sniffled and wiped away gentle tears in pews. — Emma Keith, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit community mourns and remembers Emma Hernandez, 9, at funeral," 24 Aug. 2019 When Aunt Lydia saw how the Handmaids in Washington, D.C., had their mouths pierced shut, she was clearly shaken. — Nojan Aminosharei, Harper's BAZAAR, "Ann Dowd Digs Deep to Understand Aunt Lydia in The Handmaid's Tale," 14 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pierce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for pierce
pierce
verb
English Language Learners Definition of pierce
: to make a hole in or through (something)
: to go through or into (something) in a forceful or noticeable way
See the full definition for pierce in the English Language Learners Dictionary
pierce
verb
\ ˈpirs
\
\
pierced;
piercing
Kids Definition of pierce
1
: to make a hole in or through or as if in or through
I had my ears pierced. A stab of fear pierced his heart.
2
: to force or make a way into or through
The sunshine pierced through their faded dresses …— Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie
pierce
transitive verb
pierced;