26984 words

piece

15 definitions • 32 examples
1
a part of something:

Examples:

a piece of cloth torn from her coat
He cut the cake into six pieces.
This jigsaw puzzle has two pieces missing.
The vase lay on the floor in pieces (= broken into small parts).
She tried to break/tear a small piece off the edge.
The building was taken apart and reassembled piece by piece (= one part after another).
2

Examples:

a piece of paper (= a whole sheet)
a piece of china (= an object made of china)
a piece of information/advice
3
an item of clothing, especially one that is expensive, fashionable, or individually made :

Examples:

Each piece is quite unique, owing to the fact that all her creations are hand-knitted.
4
something that has been created by an artist, musician, or writer:

Examples:

a skilful piece of work/research
Did you read that piece (= article) in the newspaper?
5
a single thing that forms part of a set:

Examples:

a chess piece
6
a coin with a stated value:

Examples:

Could you swap me two quarters for a 50 cent piece?
7
a gun:

Examples:

an artillery piece
US slang He was carrying a piece when he was arrested.
8

Examples:

a ham piece
9
with the number of pieces mentioned:

Examples:

a five-piece band (= with five players)
10
a part of something:

Examples:

a piece of cake/chicken/pizza
The vase lay on the floor in pieces (= broken into small parts).
She was so mad that she ripped the letter to pieces (= into small parts).
11
a single item that is one of other similar items:

Examples:

I have an important piece of information for you.
12
A piece can be something created by an artist, writer, or musician:

Examples:

He’s written a new piece of music.
13
a single thing of a particular type, especially one of many:

Examples:

a piece of sth A faulty piece of software caused the bank's online facility to shut down for three hours.
He produced an excellent piece of work.
14
a coin that has a value below 100 pence, cents, etc.:

Examples:

a fifty-pence/fifty-cent piece
15
to pay for, buy, or sell something in single units rather than in groups:

Examples:

The stitchers are paid a salary rather than by the piece.
In those days stores sold candy by the piece for a penny.

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