1piece 
/ˈpi:s/ noun
plural piec·es /ˈpi:s/ noun 1 [count] a : an amount that is cut or separated from a larger section of something
▪ Divide the pie into six equal pieces. ▪ The cheese was cut into small pieces and arranged on a silver platter. — often + of ▪ I need a few more pieces of tape. ▪ a long piece of string ▪ a piece of wood/metal/plastic/leather/cloth ▪ a piece of steak/chicken/fish ▪ a piece [=slice] of pizza/bread/cake — see also piece of cake
b : an amount of something considered separately from the rest — + of ▪ She bought a small piece of land/property in the country. 2 [count] : a small often broken part of something
▪ pieces [=fragments] of broken glass ▪ You have a piece of lettuce stuck between your teeth. ▪ Her broken bicycle lay in pieces by the side of the road. ▪ I watched her rip the letter to/into pieces and throw it away. ▪ The old bridge was blown to pieces [=blown apart] during the war. 3 [count] : one of the parts that form a complete thing when they are put together
▪ There are 12 pieces in this stainless steel knife set. ▪ a jigsaw puzzle with 500 pieces ▪ We're missing one piece of the puzzle. ▪ They built up the stone wall one piece at a time. = They built up the stone wall piece by piece. ▪ I took apart the engine piece by piece and put it back together again. ▪ (Brit) The rifle comes to pieces [=it separates into parts] for easy storage. ▪ (Brit) They took the bed to pieces [=they took apart the bed] and moved it out of the room. — often used in combination ▪ a three-piece suit ▪ one-piece bathing suits ▪ a five-piece band 4 [singular] : a part of someone or something that is shared with other people : portion — + of ▪ a piece of the jackpot ▪ They went there to claim a piece of the American dream for themselves. ▪ The town is growing fast, and these construction companies want a piece of the new housing market. ▪ Once she became famous, everyone wanted a piece of her. = Everyone wanted a piece of her time. [=everyone wanted her to do things for them] — see also a piece of the action at action, a piece of the pie at pie 5 [count] : one of a particular type of thing — + of ▪ Please take out a piece [=sheet] of paper and write your name on the top. ▪ I packed three pieces of fruit: two apples and a banana. ▪ a piece of candy/chalk ▪ We had several new pieces of furniture delivered to our home. ▪ You got two pieces of mail today. ▪ a piece of clothing ▪ an expensive piece of jewelry/luggage/equipment ▪ His last car was a piece of junk. [=it was worthless or of poor quality] — see also conversation piece, piece of work 6 [count] : an example or amount of something — usually singular — + of ▪ May I offer you a piece [=bit] of advice? [=may I offer you some advice?] ▪ I just heard a wonderful piece of news! ▪ a new piece of information/evidence ▪ an important piece of legislation ▪ a silly piece of nonsense ▪ That's a really nice piece of work you've done there! ▪ an impressive piece of acting ▪ a famous piece [=work] of art/literature/music 7 [count] a : a work of art, music, drama, or literature
▪ The statue David is one of Michelangelo's most famous pieces. ▪ a piece painted by Pablo Picasso ▪ Next, we will be performing a piece by J. S. Bach. ▪ a piano piece = a piece (written) for piano ▪ They performed a short dramatic piece written for the king's birthday. — see also museum piece, period piece, set piece
b : an article in a newspaper or magazine or one of the parts of a television or radio news program
▪ He has written several pieces for the magazine. ▪ The newspaper printed her opinion piece [=an article that expresses someone's beliefs or views] criticizing the president. — often + about or on ▪ Did you see that piece about/on the earthquake survivors? — see also puff piece 8 [count] : one of the small movable objects in a game like chess or checkers
▪ Move your piece [=man] forward three spaces. ▪ capturing an opponent's pieces 9 [count] a : a coin that has a specified value
▪ a 50-cent piece ▪ a 10-pence piece
b : a coin that is made of a specified metal
▪ 30 gold pieces 10 [count] : gun
▪ (chiefly US, informal) He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece. [=handgun] ▪ artillery pieces [=large guns that shoot over long distances] from the First World War 11 [singular] US, informal : an amount of distance that is not specified
▪ Their house is a fair piece from here. [=is a fairly long way away from here] ▪ It's down the road a piece.
▪ Divide the pie into six equal pieces. ▪ The cheese was cut into small pieces and arranged on a silver platter. — often + of ▪ I need a few more pieces of tape. ▪ a long piece of string ▪ a piece of wood/metal/plastic/leather/cloth ▪ a piece of steak/chicken/fish ▪ a piece [=slice] of pizza/bread/cake — see also piece of cake
b : an amount of something considered separately from the rest — + of ▪ She bought a small piece of land/property in the country.
▪ pieces [=fragments] of broken glass ▪ You have a piece of lettuce stuck between your teeth. ▪ Her broken bicycle lay in pieces by the side of the road. ▪ I watched her rip the letter to/into pieces and throw it away. ▪ The old bridge was blown to pieces [=blown apart] during the war.
▪ There are 12 pieces in this stainless steel knife set. ▪ a jigsaw puzzle with 500 pieces ▪ We're missing one piece of the puzzle. ▪ They built up the stone wall one piece at a time. = They built up the stone wall piece by piece. ▪ I took apart the engine piece by piece and put it back together again. ▪ (Brit) The rifle comes to pieces [=it separates into parts] for easy storage. ▪ (Brit) They took the bed to pieces [=they took apart the bed] and moved it out of the room. — often used in combination ▪ a three-piece suit ▪ one-piece bathing suits ▪ a five-piece band
▪ The statue David is one of Michelangelo's most famous pieces. ▪ a piece painted by Pablo Picasso ▪ Next, we will be performing a piece by J. S. Bach. ▪ a piano piece = a piece (written) for piano ▪ They performed a short dramatic piece written for the king's birthday. — see also museum piece, period piece, set piece
b : an article in a newspaper or magazine or one of the parts of a television or radio news program
▪ He has written several pieces for the magazine. ▪ The newspaper printed her opinion piece [=an article that expresses someone's beliefs or views] criticizing the president. — often + about or on ▪ Did you see that piece about/on the earthquake survivors? — see also puff piece
▪ Move your piece [=man] forward three spaces. ▪ capturing an opponent's pieces
▪ a 50-cent piece ▪ a 10-pence piece
b : a coin that is made of a specified metal
▪ 30 gold pieces
▪ (chiefly US, informal) He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece. [=handgun] ▪ artillery pieces [=large guns that shoot over long distances] from the First World War
▪ Their house is a fair piece from here. [=is a fairly long way away from here] ▪ It's down the road a piece.
bits and pieces — see 1bit
fall to pieces 1 : to break into parts
▪ The old map fell to pieces [=came apart, fell apart] in my hands. 2 : to become ruined or destroyed
▪ His life fell to pieces after his divorce. 3 : to become unable to control your emotions
▪ She falls to pieces [=breaks down] when she tries to talk about the accident. ▪ When he heard the bad news, he just fell to pieces. [=he started to cry]
▪ The old map fell to pieces [=came apart, fell apart] in my hands.
▪ His life fell to pieces after his divorce.
▪ She falls to pieces [=breaks down] when she tries to talk about the accident. ▪ When he heard the bad news, he just fell to pieces. [=he started to cry]
give someone a piece of your mind — see 1mind
go to pieces
: to become unable to behave normally because you are very nervous or upset
▪ He tends to go to pieces [=break down] under pressure. ▪ I go (all) to pieces if I have to talk in front of a large group of people.
▪ He tends to go to pieces [=break down] under pressure. ▪ I go (all) to pieces if I have to talk in front of a large group of people.
in one piece
: without being hurt or damaged
▪ It was a difficult trip, but we all made it home in one piece. [=safe and sound] ▪ All our furniture arrived in one piece.
▪ It was a difficult trip, but we all made it home in one piece. [=safe and sound] ▪ All our furniture arrived in one piece.
of a piece 1 : having similar qualities or characteristics : matching each other or belonging together
▪ She believes that the two crimes are of a piece. [=are very similar] ▪ We chose these 12 songs for the album because they were all of a piece. 2 : in agreement or harmony with something
▪ This new theory is very much of a piece [=(more commonly) consistent] with their earlier work.
▪ She believes that the two crimes are of a piece. [=are very similar] ▪ We chose these 12 songs for the album because they were all of a piece.
▪ This new theory is very much of a piece [=(more commonly) consistent] with their earlier work.
pick (someone or something) to pieces — see 1pick
pick up the pieces — see pick up at 1pick
say your piece
: to say what you want to say : to express your opinions or ideas
▪ You will all be given a chance to say your piece [=speak your mind] at the meeting tonight. ▪ You've said your piece, now please let me respond.
▪ You will all be given a chance to say your piece [=speak your mind] at the meeting tonight. ▪ You've said your piece, now please let me respond.
tear (someone or something) to pieces — see 1tear
to pieces
informal : to a very great degree : very much
▪ We're thrilled to pieces [=to bits] that you've decided to stay! ▪ She loves him to pieces. — see also 1piece 2, 3 (above)
▪ We're thrilled to pieces [=to bits] that you've decided to stay! ▪ She loves him to pieces. — see also 1piece 2, 3 (above)
