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1. Dictionary

   Spike

   /spīk/

   

   noun

   • 1. a thin, pointed piece of metal, wood, or another rigid material. Similar prongbarbpointskewerstakespitprojectiontinenailpinspurpitontechnical:fidhistorical:pricketthornspinepricklebristletechnical:spicule
   • ▪ a large stout nail, especially one used to fasten a rail to a railroad tie.
   • ▪ each of several metal points set into the sole of an athletic shoe to prevent slipping.
   • ▪ a pair of athletic shoes with metal points set into the sole.
   • ▪ short for spike heel British
   • ▪ a hypodermic needle. informal
   • 2. a sharp increase in the magnitude or concentration of something: "the oil price spike"
   • ▪ a pulse of very short duration in which a rapid increase in voltage is followed by a rapid decrease.

   verb

   • 1. impale on or pierce with a sharp point: "she spiked another oyster" Similar impalespearskewerpiercepenetrateperforatestabrun throughstickspittransfixrare:transpierce
   • ▪ injure (a player) with the spikes on one's shoes.
   • ▪ (of a newspaper editor) reject (a story) by or as if by filing it on a spike: "the editors deemed the article in bad taste and spiked it"
   • ▪ stop the progress of (a plan or undertaking); put an end to: "he doubted they would spike the entire effort over this one negotiation" Similar put a stop toput an end toput the lid onscupperscotchderailfrustratefoilthwartstymiebalkhinderobstructinformal:put paid toput the kibosh onclobberdish
   • ▪ render (a gun) useless by plugging up the vent with a spike. historical
   • 2. form into or cover with sharp points: "his hair was matted and spiked with blood"
   • ▪ take on a sharp, pointed shape: "lightning spiked across the sky"
   • ▪ increase and then decrease sharply; reach a peak: "oil prices would spike and fall again"
   • 3. add alcohol or a drug to contaminate (drink or food) surreptitiously: informal "she bought me an orange juice and spiked it with vodka" Similar adulteratecontaminatedruginformal:laceslip a Mickey Finn intodopedoctorcut
   • ▪ add sharp or pungent flavoring to (food or drink): "spike the liquid with lime or lemon juice"
   • ▪ enrich (a nuclear reactor or its fuel) with a particular isotope: "the plutonium mixture could be spiked with caesium-137"
   • 4. (in volleyball) hit (the ball) forcefully from a position near the net so that it moves downward into the opposite court.
   • ▪ fling (the ball) forcefully to the ground, typically in celebration of a touchdown.

   Word Origin Middle English: perhaps from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch spiker, related to spoke1. The verb dates from the early 17th century.

   Scrabble Points: 11

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySPIKE | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   Definition of spike – Learner’s Dictionary. spike. noun [ C ] uk / spaɪk / us. Add to word list. a long, thin piece of metal, wood, etc with a sharp point at one end. spiky. adjective. covered with spikes or having that appearance: spiky hair. (Definition of spike from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

3. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionarySPIKE definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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   SPIKE definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary. English Dictionary Thesaurus Sentences Conjugation Grammar. Definition of 'spike' Word Frequency. spike. (spaɪk ) Word forms: spikes plural. countable noun. A spike is a long piece of metal with a sharp point. ...a 15-foot wall topped with iron spikes.

4. en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › spikespike - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › spike

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   Apr 14, 2024 · A piece of pointed metal etc. set with points upward or outward. The trap was lined with spikes. (by extension) Anything resembling such a nail in shape. An ear of corn or grain. ( botany) A kind of inflorescence in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis.

5. www.britannica.com › dictionary › spikeSpike Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

   www.britannica.com › dictionary › spike

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   Britannica Dictionary definition of SPIKE. 1. [count] : a long, thin rod that ends in a point and is often made of metal. There are spikes on top of the fence. The climbers drove metal spikes into the ice. a railroad spike [=a large nail used to attach rails to railroad ties] 2. [count] : a sudden, rapid increase in something.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › spike&SPIKE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › spike&

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   noun. a naillike fastener, 3 to 12 inches (7.6 to 30.5 centimeters) long and proportionately thicker than a common nail, for fastening together heavy timbers or railroad track. something resembling such a nail; a stiff, sharp-pointed piece or part: to set spikes in the top of a cement wall.

7. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spikesSpikes Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spikes

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   1. : a very large nail. 2. a. : one of a row of pointed irons placed (as on the top of a wall) to prevent passage. b (1) : one of several metal projections set in the sole and heel of a shoe to improve traction. (2) spikes plural : a pair of shoes having spikes attached to the soles or soles and heels.

8. simple.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › spikespike - Simple English Wiktionary

   simple.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › spike

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   Pronunciation. IPA ( key): /spaɪk/ Audio (US) ( file) Noun [ change] ( countable) A spike is a very large nail. A spike is a very large increase in something. The price of Bitcoin spiked yesterday. Verb [ change] If you spike something, you fasten it with spikes, or long, large nails.