spoke

¹ American  

[spohk] / spoʊk /

verb

1. a simple past tense of speak.

2. Nonstandard. a past participle of speak.

3. Archaic. a past participle of speak.

---

spoke ² American  

[spohk] / spoʊk /

noun

1. one of the bars, rods, or rungs radiating from the hub or nave of a wheel and supporting the rim or felloe.

2. something that resembles the spoke of a wheel.

3. a handlelike projection from the rim of a wheel, as a ship's steering wheel.

4. a rung of a ladder.

---

verb (used with object)

spoked, spoking

1. to fit or furnish with or as with spokes.

spoke ¹ British  

/ spəʊk /

noun

1. a radial member of a wheel, joining the hub to the rim

2. a radial projection from the rim of a wheel, as in a ship's wheel

3. a rung of a ladder

4. to thwart someone's plans

---

verb

1. (tr) to equip with or as if with spokes

spoke ² British  

/ spəʊk /

verb

1. the past tense of speak

2. archaic a past participle of speak

---

Other Word Forms

• spokeless adjective

Etymology

Origin of spoke

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English spāca; cognate with Dutch speek, German Speiche

Example Sentences

All of those who spoke to BBC Persian from inside Iran were against the current establishment.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

After Birotte dismissed the jurors, several of them spoke with waiting defense attorneys.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Nead spoke with The Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute about the lost class of future influencers and how the sector has changed as marketers have become more choosy about their influencer marketing budgets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“I recognize that the last time we spoke, I indicated that we expected to be done with an important transaction by this call, but we’re not ready to announce anything today,” Dominguez said.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

I listened, enthralled, as the speakers took their chairs and spoke to us about their ideals and beliefs.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler