What does piece mean?
A piece is a separate part, portion, or component of something larger. The word is highly versatile: it can describe a slice of food, a fragment of material, a component of a machine, an individual item in a game, or a written, artistic, or musical work. “Piece” also commonly occurs in the expression “a piece of,” as in “a piece of evidence” or “a piece of information.” As a verb, it means to divide or break something into parts, as in “piece it apart,” or to assemble separate elements, as in “piece together the story.” Its usefulness lies in this broad range of applications while retaining the basic idea of something belonging to, or derived from, a larger whole. The word can suggest incompleteness when used for a fragment, but it can also emphasize an individual contribution or unit.
A separate portion, segment, component, or individual item; also an individual written, artistic, or musical work, or a unit in a game.
"The mechanic replaced the damaged piece of the control panel."
Usually countable. “A piece of” is the typical construction for an unspecified portion, item, or sample.
To cut or break something into pieces, or to assemble separate fragments or elements into a coherent whole.
"Investigators worked to piece together the events from witness statements."
The phrase “piece together” is especially common in contexts involving information, evidence, or an understanding of a situation.
The plural is used for separate portions, components, items, or works.
"The artist mounted several small pieces in the gallery."
The word “piece” spans a slice of cake, a fragment of evidence, and a component of a machine: the same idea of a part at different scales.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of piece
The English word comes through Middle English from Old French piece, meaning a portion or segment. Old French piece was borrowed from Medieval Latin pecia, whose deeper origin is uncertain but is generally connected with Germanic vocabulary. The noun's broader modern meanings developed from the idea of a portion of a larger material or whole, while related cognates include French pièce, Italian pezzo, and Spanish pieza.
Related word forms
How piece is actually used
As a noun, “piece” is normally countable and often appears after “a” or with a number. “A piece of” is the standard construction for an unspecified portion or sample. In the phrase “piece together,” the word suggests assembling separate fragments or pieces of information into a coherent whole.
Easily confused with piece
A piece is a portion or component of something, whereas peace means the absence of war or conflict.