spike
noun
a naillike fastener, 3 to 12 inches (7.6 to 30.5 centimeters) long and proportionately thicker than a common nail, for fastening together heavy timbers or railroad track.
has been spiking
-
present perfect progressiveof spike (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Iran war’s most tangible and immediate effect for many people outside the Middle East has been spiking gasoline prices.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
Crime has been spiking in the city, though it is largely concentrated in a few areas.
From New York Times ● Jun. 23, 2022
Inflation has been spiking worldwide in recent months because of soaring energy prices and pent-up demand during the pandemic recovery.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 3, 2021
Interest in homeschooling has been spiking since 1999, when the D.C. school choice movement was marking territory with public charter schools.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 30, 2021
But the virus they are fleeing has been spiking here, too.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 20, 2020
