- pier, wharf, wharfage, dock - a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
--1 is a kind of platform
--1 has parts: bollard, bitt; shipside
--1 has particulars: quay - pier - (architecture) a vertical supporting structure (as a portion of wall between two doors or windows)
--2 is a kind of support
--2 is a part of wall- pier - a support for two adjacent bridge spans
--3 is a kind of support
--3 is a part of bridge, span - pier - a support for two adjacent bridge spans