pierce

Universal Words verb 1 ~ (through) sth to make a small hole in sth, or to go through sth, with a sharp object: [VN] The arrow pierced his shoulder. * He pierced another hole in his belt with his knife. * to have your ears / nose pierced (= to have a small hole made in your ears / nose so that you can wear jewellery there) * (figurative) She was pierced to the heart with guilt. * [V] The knife pierced through his coat. 2 ~ (through) sth (literary) (of light, sound, etc.) to be suddenly seen or heard: [VN] Sirens pierced the silence of the night. * Shafts of sunlight pierced the heavy mist. [also V] 3 ~ (through) sth to force a way through a barrier: [VN] They failed to pierce the Liverpool defence. [also V]