# spear

/ˈspɪɹ/ (US) · /spˈiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spear
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. weapon

noun · CEFR B2

a long wooden pole with a sharp metal point at the end, used as a weapon.

For teachers: a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a sharpened head.

- In the movie, the soldiers carried long spears and shields into the battle.
- Archaeologists discovered several flint spearheads, suggesting that the tribe used spears for hunting large game across the plains.

### 3. to pierce

verb · CEFR B2

to push a sharp object through something.

For teachers: to pierce or strike with a pointed instrument; to catch something by stabbing it.

- He used his fork to spear a piece of potato from the bowl.
- The fisherman managed to spear a large salmon as it leaped through the shallow rapids.

### 4. sport maneuver

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a dangerous move in sports like hockey or wrestling where you hit someone with a stick or your body.

For teachers: an illegal or specialized tackle or strike involving a thrusting motion with a stick, helmet, or shoulder.

- The player was sent off the ice for a dangerous spear during the second period.
- The referee immediately signaled a penalty after the defender attempted to spear the opponent with the blade of his hockey stick.

## Examples

- The hunter carried a long wooden spear.
- Archaeologists found several ancient spear heads made of flint buried deep in the cave floor.
- The museum exhibit displays a variety of spears used by different cultures, ranging from light throwing javelins to heavy pikes designed for defensive formations.

---

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.