Word
pike
Phoneticspike
US/ˈpaɪk/
UK/pˈaɪk/
Definitions
01a fish
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a large freshwater fish with a long body and sharp teeth that eats other fish.
n. any carnivorous freshwater fish of the genus Esox, characterized by a long, slender body and a pointed snout.
“The fisherman caught a massive pike in the lake behind his house.”
“Anglers often prize the northern pike for its aggressive strike and the significant challenge it presents during the retrieval.”
Synonyms
02a weapon
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Archaic
n. a very long spear used by soldiers in the past to fight against horses.
n. a historical infantry weapon consisting of a long wooden shaft with a pointed steel head, primarily used to repel cavalry.
Español:pica
“The museum displayed rows of pikes used by soldiers in the 17th century.”
“The infantry formed a defensive square, their pikes bristling outward to prevent the enemy cavalry from breaking their line.”
03a road
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English
n. a main road, especially one that people used to pay a fee to use.
n. a major road or highway; a clipping of 'turnpike', originally referring to a toll road.
“We took the pike all the way to the city to avoid the small towns.”
“Commuters were delayed for hours following a multi-vehicle accident on the massachusetts pike during the height of the morning rush.”
Synonyms
04a diving position
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Sports Technical
n. a position in diving or gymnastics where you bend at the waist and keep your legs straight.
n. a body position in sports such as diving or gymnastics where the hips are fully flexed while the knees remain straight.
“The diver performed a perfect pike before entering the water.”
“The judges awarded high marks for the athlete's execution of the triple somersault in the pike position.”
Synonyms
05a mountain peak
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Dialect
n. a hill or mountain with a sharp top.
n. a hill or mountain, particularly one characterized by a sharp or prominent summit.
“We hiked to the top of the pike to see the view of the valley.”
“Scafell Pike remains one of the most popular destinations for hikers attempting the Three Peaks Challenge in the United Kingdom.”
06to quit or back out
C1 · Advanced Informal · Dialect
v. to fail to do something you promised to do, or to leave early.
v. to withdraw from a commitment or social engagement; to fail to follow through on a promise.
“Don't pike on us at the last minute; we really need you for the team.”
“He promised to help with the move, but he piked out at the last second, leaving us to carry the furniture alone.”
Antonyms
Usage
Commonly appears in historical or military contexts; often used in the phrase 'down the pike' to mean 'in the future'.
Real-World Examples
“Zürich’s soldiers, kitted-out with armour and pikes, marched south to war.” Etymology
The surname is of multiple origins, including Middle English pike.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/pike
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0