# spike

/ˈspaɪk/ (US) · /spˈaɪk/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a sharp point

noun · CEFR B2

a thin, sharp piece of metal or wood.

For teachers: a long, thick nail or a similar pointed object made of metal or wood.

- The top of the iron fence was covered in sharp spikes to keep people out.
- The climbers used iron spikes to secure their ropes to the frozen rock face during the ascent.

### 2. sudden increase

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden, large increase in price, amount, or a graph.

For teachers: a sharp, brief increase in a value or a sudden surge in electrical power.

- There was a sudden spike in oil prices after the news was announced.
- The data showed a significant spike in web traffic immediately following the celebrity's social media post.

### 3. sports shoes

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

shoes with sharp points on the bottom to help runners grip the ground.

For teachers: athletic footwear equipped with pointed projections on the sole to provide traction on tracks or turf.

- The sprinter put on his spikes before heading to the starting line.
- The track athlete replaced the worn spikes on her shoes to ensure maximum grip during the rainy competition.

### 4. volleyball move

noun · CEFR B2

a powerful hit in volleyball that sends the ball straight down.

For teachers: a forceful downward hit of the ball over the net into the opponent's court.

- She won the point with a powerful spike that the other team couldn't return.
- The outside hitter executed a perfect spike, driving the ball past the blockers and onto the floor.

### 5. to increase quickly

verb · CEFR B2

to rise to a high amount or level very quickly.

For teachers: to experience a sudden and significant increase in value, intensity, or volume.

- Temperatures are expected to spike this afternoon, reaching record highs.
- Public interest in the candidate began to spike as the election date approached and the debates intensified.

### 6. to add to a drink

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to secretly add alcohol or a drug to someone's drink.

For teachers: to adulterate a food or beverage by adding alcohol, a drug, or a potent substance, often without the consumer's knowledge.

- He realized someone had spiked his orange juice with vodka.
- The punch was heavily spiked with rum, making it much stronger than the guests had anticipated.

### 7. to reject a story

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to decide not to publish a news story or article.

For teachers: to reject or withhold a news story from publication, originally by impaling it on a physical spindle.

- The editor decided to spike the article because it wasn't accurate.
- The editor-in-chief chose to spike the controversial investigative piece, fearing potential legal repercussions for the newspaper.

### 8. to inject drugs

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar

to inject an illegal drug into the body.

For teachers: to administer a drug intravenously using a hypodermic needle.

- The documentary showed the harsh reality of people who spike heroin in the streets.
- The outreach program aims to reduce the risks for individuals who spike drugs by providing clean needles and medical support.

## Examples

- There was a sudden spike in oil prices this morning.
- The hospital prepared for a spike in admissions during the flu season.
- Economists noted a significant spike in consumer spending following the tax cuts, though the growth proved to be temporary as inflation began to rise.

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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.