1
: one that is of equal standing with another : equal
The band mates welcomed the new member as a peer.
especially
: one belonging to the same societal group especially based on age, grade, or status
teenagers spending time with their peers
2
a
: a member of one of the five ranks (duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron) of the British peerage
b
: noble sense 1
Peers and commoners alike were shown the same courtesy.
3
archaic
: companion
peer
adjective
peered; peering; peers
1
: to look narrowly or curiously
a child peering from behind a tree
especially
: to look searchingly at something difficult to discern
She peered into the dark closet looking for her missing shoe.
2
: to come slightly into view : emerge partly
a vast white cloud, through which the sun peered—
Francis Kingdon-Ward
Francis Kingdon-WardExamples of peer in a Sentence
Noun
He was respected and admired by his peers.
teenagers spending time with their peer groups
Verb (1)
visitors seem mesmerized as they peer at the variety of marine life in the aquarium's huge tank
Recent Examples on the Web
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Part of the process was to conduct a very comprehensive stakeholder engagement, with our suppliers, customers, peers, and organizations like the United Nationas and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
From its gravitationally stable vantage point at Lagrange Point 2, the JWST is tasked with peering into deep space to capture ancient light from the early universe and observe the formation of stars, protoplanetary systems and so much more.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peer
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Noun
His legacy continues through multiple posthumous projects and commemoration by his music industry peers.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Part of the process was to conduct a very comprehensive stakeholder engagement, with our suppliers, customers, peers, and organizations like the United Nationas and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Micro-CT scans enable scientists to peer inside fossils without damaging them.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
From its gravitationally stable vantage point at Lagrange Point 2, the JWST is tasked with peering into deep space to capture ancient light from the early universe and observe the formation of stars, protoplanetary systems and so much more.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peer
Cite this Entry
“Peer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peer. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
peer
1 of 2 noun1
: a person of the same rank or class as another
2
a
: a member of one of the five ranks of the British nobility
b
peer
2 of 2 verb1
: to look closely or curiously
peered into the dark closet
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