Pièces

Pièce is a feminine French noun with several related meanings that vary by context. The plural form is pièces. The term can refer to a part or component of something, as well as a room, a work of art or music, or a coin, among other uses. Context determines its precise sense.

In housing and architecture, pièce denotes a room within a building. An apartment described as ayant trois pièces means it has three rooms. The phrase pièce principale refers to the main room of a dwelling.

In manufacturing and engineering, pièce means a part or component of a machine or device. Pièces détachées are spare parts, and une pièce usinée is a machined component produced by manufacturing processes.

In the arts, pièce designates a work such as a musical composition or a dramatic work. A collection of musical pieces may comprise a suite, and une pièce de théâtre is a stage play.

In currency and everyday speech, pièce can refer to a coin or a piece of money, as in une pièce de monnaie or multiples of specific denominations. In administration, phrases like pièces justificatives indicate supporting documents used to verify information, and pièces d'identité refer to identity documents.

The term also appears in various phrases and technical terms, with meaning shaped by neighboring words. Overall, pièces serves as a versatile umbrella term for tangible items that are parts, rooms, works, or units across everyday and specialized language.