pier v. wharf v. quay v. dock v. jetty

• A pier is a walkway extending from a shore and supported by pillars. A pier can serve as a landing place for ships or as a recreational promenade.
• A wharf is a facility built on the shore of a harbor where ships dock to load and unload cargo. Wharves may include berths, piers, and storage areas.
• A quay is a wharf running parallel to the shore.
• A dock is an enclosed area of water for building, repairing, loading, and unloading ships. Dock can also be a synonym for a pier, a group of piers, or a wharf.
• A jetty is a structure projecting into a body of water that protects a harbor from the effects of tides.