piece Meaning & Definition
What Does Piece Mean?
As a noun, piece means A part of a larger whole, usually in such a form that it is able to be separated from other parts. It is also used to mean A single item belonging to a class of similar items. As a verb, it means To assemble (something real or figurative). As a verb, it means (usually with together) To assemble (something real or figurative).
Piece: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /piːs/ |
| Synonyms | composition, part and bit |
| Antonyms | dismantle, break up and disassemble |
| Plural | pieces |
| Verb forms | pieces, piecing, pieced |
Piece Definition (Noun)
- A part of a larger whole, usually in such a form that it is able to be separated from other parts.
I’d like another piece of pie.
- A single item belonging to a class of similar items.
a piece of machinery
- One of the figures used in playing chess, specifically a higher-value figure as distinguished from a pawn; those with which draughts, backgammon, and other similar board games are played.
- A coin, especially one valued at less than the principal unit of currency.
a sixpenny piece
- An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, musical composition, literary work, etc.
period piece
- An article published in the press.
Today's paper has an interesting piece on medical research.
- An artillery gun.
- A gun.
He's packin' a piece!
- A toupee or wig, especially when worn by a man.
The announcer is wearing a new piece.
- A slice or other quantity of bread, eaten on its own; a sandwich or light snack.
- A sexual encounter; from piece of ass or piece of tail.
I got a piece at lunchtime.
- A shoddy or worthless object .
Ugh, my new computer is such a piece. I'm taking it back to the store tomorrow.
- A cannabis pipe.
- Used to describe a pitch that has been hit but not well, usually either being caught by the opposing team or going foul. Usually used in the past tense with get.
he got a piece of that one; she got a piece of the ball […] and it's going foul.
- An individual; a person.
- A castle; a fortified building.
- A pacifier; a dummy.
- A distance or amount.
a far piece
- A structured practice row, often used for performance evaluation.
At practice we rowed four 5,000 meter pieces.
- An amount of work to be done at one time; a unit of piece work.
- An ounce of a recreational drug.
Piece as a Verb
- To assemble (something real or figurative).
These clues allowed us to piece together the solution to the mystery.
- To make, enlarge, or repair, by the addition of a piece or pieces; to patch; often with out.
to piece a garment
- To produce a work of graffiti more complex than a tag.
- To eat small quantities of food between meals; to snack; to take small or intermittent bites at a food item.
Noun
- One of the figures used in playing chess, specifically a higher-value figure as distinguished from a pawn; by extension, a similar counter etc. in other games.
- (short for hairpiece) A toupee or wig, especially when worn by a man.
The announcer is wearing a new piece.
- (mildly, short for piece of crap/piece of shit) A shoddy or worthless object (usually applied to consumer products like vehicles or appliances).
Ugh, my new computer is such a piece. I'm taking it back to the store tomorrow.
- Used to describe a pitch that has been hit but not well, usually either being caught by the opposing team or going foul. Usually used in the past tense with got.
he got a piece of that one; she got a piece of the ball [...] and it's going foul.
- (sometimes derogatory) An individual; a person.
- A distance.
a fair piece off
Verb
- (usually with together) To assemble (something real or figurative).
These clues allowed us to piece together the solution to the mystery.
Synonyms of Piece
Antonyms of Piece
Piece in a Sentence
I’d like another piece of pie.
I've lost a piece of this jigsaw puzzle.
a piece of machinery
a piece of software
a useful piece of advice
a sixpenny piece
period piece
She played two beautiful pieces on the piano.
Today's paper has an interesting piece on medical research.
He's packin' a piece!
The announcer is wearing a new piece.
I got a piece at lunchtime.
Ugh, my new computer is such a piece. I'm taking it back to the store tomorrow.
he got a piece of that one; she got a piece of the ball […] and it's going foul.
a far piece
located a fair piece away from their camp
At practice we rowed four 5,000 meter pieces.
That last piece was torture.
These clues allowed us to piece together the solution to the mystery.
to piece a garment
he got a piece of that one; she got a piece of the ball [...] and it's going foul.
a fair piece off
Word Forms & Grammar
piece (plural pieces)
piece (third-person singular simple present pieces, present participle piecing, simple past and past participle pieced)
Words That Rhyme With Piece
Origin of Piece
From Middle English pece, peece, peice, from Old French piece, from Late Latin pecia, petia (“broken piece, fragment; parcel of land”), of uncertain origin. Possibly ultimately from Gaulish *pettyā, from Proto-Celtic *kʷezdis (“piece, portion, quota”). Compare Welsh peth (“thing, stuff, junk”), Breton pez (“thing”), Irish cuid (“part, portion”). Compare French pièce, Portuguese peça, Spanish pieza, Italian pezza, Italian pezzo. Displaced native Middle English sticche, stucche (“piece, fragment”) from Old English styċċe (“piece, portion”), whence also English styca.
Quick Answers About Piece
Is piece a noun or a verb?
Piece is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for piece?
Close synonyms of piece are composition, part and bit. See the full list of piece synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of piece?
Words opposite in meaning to piece are dismantle, break up, disassemble and take apart.
What is the plural of piece?
The plural of piece is pieces.
What is the past tense of piece?
The past tense of piece is pieced. The present participle is piecing.