# harpoon

/hɑɹˈpun/ (US) · /hɑːpˈuːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/harpoon
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. hunting weapon

noun · CEFR B2

a long weapon like a spear with a hook at the end, used for catching whales and large fish.

For teachers: a spear-like missile with a barbed head used for capturing whales and other large sea creatures, typically attached to a rope.

- The sailors prepared the harpoon as the whale surfaced near the boat.
- Historical maritime museums often display the heavy iron harpoons used by nineteenth-century whalers before the invention of explosive-tipped versions.

### 2. to strike with a spear

verb · CEFR B2

to hit or catch something using a harpoon.

For teachers: to strike, catch, or kill a marine animal with a harpoon. Transitive use requiring a direct object.

- The fisherman managed to harpoon a large tuna just before it swam away.
- The documentary crew captured the moment the traditional hunters successfully harpooned their prey using techniques passed down through generations.

### 3. harmonica

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

a slang word for a harmonica, which is a small musical instrument you blow into.

For teachers: a colloquial term for a harmonica, frequently used in the context of blues or folk music.

- He pulled a harpoon out of his pocket and started playing a blues song.
- The lead singer was known for his soulful solos on the harpoon, which added a gritty texture to the band's acoustic sets.

## Examples

- The sailor used a harpoon to catch the whale.
- The museum displays a traditional harpoon used by indigenous communities for centuries to hunt large fish.
- The harpoon was designed with a specialized mechanism to ensure the line remained taut once the target was struck, preventing the animal from escaping into the depths.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.