Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🚤 End of a pier 🏗️ Top of a column
pierhead

pierhead

7.7
The top part of a bridge column that supports the beams
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪrˌhɛd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cabeza de pilar
  • Cracks were discovered in the concrete pierhead during the routine inspection.

Examples

  • Workers installed new beams resting on the pierhead to complete the bridge repairs.

  • The engineers reinforced the pierhead to ensure the bridge could handle heavier traffic.

  • The pierhead was painted bright red.

  • The architect designed a new pierhead for the bridge.

  • The pierhead of the bridge was beautifully designed to withstand strong winds.

  • Workers installed additional safety railings at the pierhead to protect pedestrians.

  • The view from the pierhead offers a perfect spot for watching the sunset over the river.

Surface Forms

pierhead singular
pierheads plural

Morphology

pierhead = pier + head (transparent) = pier + head

The sense denotes the top/cap of a pier (supporting column), which maps directly to 'pier' + 'head' with 'head' meaning top/cap.

Etymology

Pierhead comes from pier and head, with pier meaning a strong support and head meaning 'top' or 'cap'. That's why a pierhead is the upper part of a bridge support that holds the beams or deck.