English Reference

Word

lancer

US/ˈɫænsɝ/

UK/lˈɑːnsɐ/

Definition

n. a type of soldier or knight from the past who used a long spear called a lance. They were famous for charging at enemies on horseback.

n. a heavy cavalryman who fought with a long thrusting spear, typically on horseback. Historically associated with the knightly class and the medieval period.

Examples

“The lancer charged toward the enemy line.”

“During the medieval battles, the lancer was often the first to break the enemy's formation with a powerful charge.”

“The tactical advantage of the lancer lay in his ability to maintain momentum while striking, a skill that made him a formidable opponent on the open battlefield.”

Examples

simple

“The lancer charged toward the enemy line.”

contextual

“During the medieval battles, the lancer was often the first to break the enemy's formation with a powerful charge.”

complex

“The tactical advantage of the lancer lay in his ability to maintain momentum while striking, a skill that made him a formidable opponent on the open battlefield.”

Real-World Examples

“He served as an officer with the 17th Lancers in India, won a gold medal in polo at the 1900 Paris Olympics and raced a French Darracq roadster on the Isle of Man.”
Smithsonian Magazine · 1 Sept 2026

Etymology

From French lancier (“lancer”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Domain

Military

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference