• (GA) IPA: /pɪɹs/
• (RP) IPA: /pɪəs/

pierce (pierces, present participle piercing; past and past participle pierced)

1. (transitive) to puncture; to break through

   The diver pierced the surface of the water with scarcely a splash.

   to pierce the enemy's line; a shot pierced the ship

   • I pierce […] her tender side.

2. (transitive) to create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry

   Can you believe he pierced his tongue?

3. (transitive) to break or interrupt abruptly

   A scream pierced the silence.

4. (transitive, figurative) To get to the heart or crux of (a matter).

   to pierce a mystery

5. (transitive, figurative) To penetrate; to affect deeply.
   • 1715, Homer; [Alexander] Pope, transl., “Book XI”, in The Iliad of Homer, volume I, London: Printed by W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott between the Temple-Gates, OCLC 670734254 ↗:

     pierced with grief

   • c. 1596–1598, William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act IV, scene i]:

     Can no prayers pierce thee?

• French: percer
• German: durchstechen, lochen
• Italian: pungere, forare, perforare, bucare
• Portuguese: furar, perfurar
• Russian: протыка́ть
• Spanish: perforar

• French: percer
• German: piercen
• Italian: perforare
• Russian: прока́лывать
• Spanish: perforar, agujerear

• French: percer
• Italian: squarciare
• Russian: прерыва́ть

pierce (plural pierces)

1. (Japan) A pierced earring

1. A male given name, medieval variant of Piers. Modern usage may also derive from the surname.
2. Surname
3. A city/county seat in Pierce County, Nebraska.