Definition of pierce in English:

verb

• 1(of a sharp pointed object) go into or through (something)

  ‘a splinter had pierced the skin’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The bottom of the actuating rod has a sharp point, which pierces the gas cylinder release valve.’
  • ‘Leaves rustled out of the branches and before any bullets were pierced into her skin she jumped onto another branch.’
  • ‘The wolf growled at me and I bit the corner of my lip, feeling the blood draining from my arm as the animal's sharp teeth pierced my skin.’
  • ‘As soon as she touched it, she felt a sharp splinter pierce her thumb.’
  • ‘She fell on to her side, not caring about the sharp rocks piercing her thin side.’
  • ‘Splinters pierced his porcelain fingertips, such terrible reminders to what had happened only hours before.’
  • ‘As the door closed behind me there was a shot and the wood from the door exploded into a few dozen splinters that pierced the back of my neck.’
  • ‘David felt for his neck; there were indeed two punctures, evidence of two sharp objects piercing his neck.’
  • ‘Aridene screamed in pain as the needle pierced her skin and the chloral hydrate entered her bloodstream.’
  • ‘I felt a sharp pain as the blade pierced my skin and the warm blood began dripping down my torso.’
  • ‘Thane roared when two nettle like things pierced his shoulder skin.’
  • ‘She heard him curse, felt him grab her arm, then felt the blinding pain of the knife piercing her flesh.’
  • ‘Since the tyre is tougher than a tube, it takes a long time for the air to escape from it when it is pierced by something sharp.’
  • ‘The sharp bladed end pierces the wood easily and went straight through.’
  • ‘Once the skins are removed, pierce a cross shape in the root ends with the tip of a sharp knife - this will keep the shallots whole as they cook.’
  • ‘An arrow struck Lysander's helmet but didn't pierce its metal skin, and he fell unconscious from the blow.’
  • ‘It was like a million sharp needles were piercing my skin, and I began to scream aloud.’
  • ‘She bit her lip, digging her sharp canine into the soft skin, piercing it all the harder as she lapsed into deeper thought.’
  • ‘It felt as if little needles of white-hot heat had entered his skin and pierced his nerves.’
  • ‘With a sharp jab, Jake pierced the skin on her forearm, leaving a small puncture mark.’

  Synonyms

  make a hole in, penetrate, puncture, punch, perforate, riddle, stab, prick, probe, gore, spike, stick, impale, transfix, bore, bore through, drill, drill through, lance, tap

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  1. 1.1 Make (a hole) with a sharp instrument.
     ‘I had to pierce another hole in my belt’

     More example sentences

     • ‘Remove from oven and use a skewer or satay stick to pierce the thickest part of the turkey.’
     • ‘The ball the schoolboys originally swatted was a globe of vulcanized India rubber pierced with a hole.’
     • ‘This analysis was performed by following the displacement of holes pierced with fine needles in the basal part of the leaf as presented earlier but extended here for very young leaves.’
     • ‘Other methods entail tying increasingly tighter pieces of thread through a pierced hole or cutting with a laser.’
     • ‘When the pan is nearly dry, remove from heat and cover with tin foil with some holes pierced in it.’
     • ‘The holes would be pierced right through all the sheets.’
     • ‘A hole is pierced through the skin and cartilage of the nostril.’
     • ‘Rain bars are long tubes pierced with spray holes.’
     • ‘Through a hole pierced in the centre of the sheet, water would trickle into the vessel kept beneath it.’
     • ‘All concrete surfaces should be pierced at regular distances so that rainwater percolates into the ground.’
     • ‘Transfer to a wire rack and pierce a tiny hole in each gougère using a sharp knife, to release any trapped steam.’
     • ‘Drills can also be used for pierced work, and the hole allows access for different blades according to the degree of refinement of the decoration.’
     • ‘It's primarily used for exactly the reason you used it: to pierce a hole in leather or, sometimes, wood.’
     • ‘He husks and cleans a coconut and pours the milk out through a small pierced hole.’
     • ‘Feed the other end of the cord up through the pierced hole in the bottom of the flap.’

     Synonyms

     make a hole in, penetrate, puncture, punch, perforate, riddle, stab, prick, probe, gore, spike, stick, impale, transfix, bore, bore through, drill, drill through, lance, tap

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  2. 1.2 Make a hole in (the ears or other part of the body) so as to wear jewellery in them.
     ‘I pierced my nose and ears’

     More example sentences

     • ‘The risks associated with piercing one's ears, for instance, are comprehensible and acceptable to the masses.’
     • ‘The doctor had dreadlocks, pierced ears and nose and tattoos everywhere.’
     • ‘Both of his ears were pierced, and he was wearing a black and silver chain.’
     • ‘The faces have bold curled nostrils and fantastic tipped-out ears, which are pierced at the earlobes for earrings and ornament.’
     • ‘Both ears were pierced, but she wore no earrings.’
     • ‘A concerned mother is calling for new laws to stop children having their bodies pierced without parental permission.’
     • ‘Men may have their noses pierced and wear wild pig or boar tusks.’
     • ‘I'm going to get my ears pierced so I can wear one of those cool crosses.’
     • ‘His left ear was pierced; and he wore a black hoodie and parachute pants.’
     • ‘There is a scene in which he must pierce her ears to wear the borrowed earring, and it is shockingly erotic.’
     • ‘Parents would rather their kids go in for glitter as they feel it is a better option to piercing or tattooing the body.’
     • ‘She had pierced ears but wore neither studs nor earrings and there was no jewellery.’
     • ‘She had natural teeth and both ears were pierced, but she was not wearing earrings.’
     • ‘Her ears were pierced all the way up and she had a nose ring.’
     • ‘On this Tamil festival, penitents pierce their bodies, tongues, and cheeks while some march on shoes of nails.’
     • ‘His ears were pierced with two holes in his earlobes, and on the top of his left ear he had a ring.’
     • ‘The most common parts of the body that are pierced is the face although you will often find ear, nose and lip ornaments.’
     • ‘His head had a halo of curls at the bottom and both his ears were pierced with spike earrings.’
     • ‘She had a nose ring on and her ears were pierced at least 8 times each.’
     • ‘Sixteen to 18 year olds could have other parts of their bodies pierced provided they had clearly verifiable permission from a parent or guardian.’

     Synonyms

     make a hole in, punch holes in, put holes in, perforate, puncture, prick, hole, riddle, spike, skewer, spit, stick, pin, needle

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  3. 1.3 Make an opening in or bore a tunnel through.
     ‘the dividing wall is pierced by arches’

     More example sentences

     • ‘For some unaccountable reason, someone has pierced a tunnel through the western end of the southern summit rock blade.’
     • ‘The side walls of the original church were later pierced by arches of the Norman north and south arcades.’
     • ‘An irregular elongated window pierces the massive back wall.’
     • ‘When it was built, the south church was constructed against the south wall of the earlier nuns' chapel, which was later pierced by arches.’
     • ‘Their die-straight tunnels pierce the most awesome rock barriers nonchalantly.’

     Synonyms

     drill, perforate, puncture, punch, cut

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• 2Force a way through; penetrate.

  ‘they were seeking to pierce the anti-ballistic-missile defences’

  ‘a shrill voice pierced the air’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The air of the huge chamber failed to be pierced by its glow.’
  • ‘The girl clutched her head and let out a scream of pain that pierced the air, falling to her knees with tears spilling down her cheeks.’
  • ‘Even though her suddenly loud voice pierced through the silence, the others didn't stir.’
  • ‘The continuous clicking of shutters pierced the icy Alpine air.’
  • ‘A beacon of light pierced the dark and the rain, coming from above the treetops.’
  • ‘The darkness in my eyes weakened and was pierced by a dim light.’
  • ‘The sudden voice pierced through the hallway and I immediately dropped the card and spun around to face Devon's approaching figure.’
  • ‘I sighed as that deep masculine voice pierced through my thoughts.’
  • ‘As copious steam clouds and sharp hoots pierce the morning calm, an air of excitement and expectation is palpable among those who have got into the coaches.’
  • ‘The sweet voice pierced through his mind, and with it sweet memories of safety, understanding, and love.’
  • ‘Similar displays contrived by architects occur on almost any sunny day inside many cathedrals, when the sun pierces the highest windows and a thousand rays gleam down on the altar.’
  • ‘It was an awful, shrill noise that pierced everyone's ears immediately and kept repeating in an unbelievably high and sharp pitch.’
  • ‘All that guided her right now was Jeff's comforting voice, piercing through the blackness, drawing her to him.’
  • ‘Just then, a shrill voice pierced through the thick tension in the room.’
  • ‘Just as I hear the cry of my new baby pierce the air Trevor runs into the delivery room.’
  • ‘All was well and beautiful for the first 10 minutes, till a chorus of sharp voices pierced my champagne reverie.’
  • ‘Her voice pierced the Fire Master's ears, sending sparks of fury through his body.’
  • ‘Shrieks of pain and anguish pierced the night and more yelling sounded as other survivors tried to put out the multiple fires before more were hurt.’
  • ‘By recording the spectra of several distant quasars whose light pierces the Milky Way, the spacecraft revealed some 50 ultraviolet-absorbing gas clouds around our galaxy.’
  • ‘Once more, his voice pierced through the air to reach Mary.’

  Synonyms

  penetrate, pass through, burst through, percolate, pervade, permeate, filter through, light up

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