lance

[ lans, lahns ]

/ læns, lɑns /

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noun

a long wooden shaft with a pointed metal head, used as a weapon by knights and cavalry soldiers in charging.

a cavalry soldier armed with such a weapon; lancer.

an implement resembling the weapon, as a spear for killing a harpooned whale.

Lance, Military. a U.S. Army surface-to-surface rocket with a range of 47 miles (75 km) and capable of carrying a tactical nuclear warhead.

a lancet.

oxygen lance.

Machinery.

a tube having a nozzle for cleaning furnace walls and other inaccessible surfaces with air, water, or steam.
a pipe for directing oxygen onto a heated metal object in order to burn a hole in it, the lance also being consumed so as to add to the heat.

verb (used with object), lanced, lanc·ing.

to open with or as if with a lancet.

to pierce with a lance.

to cut through (concrete or the like) with an oxygen lance.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of lance

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English launce, lance, from Old French lance, from Latin lancea (perhaps from Celtic)

OTHER WORDS FROM lance

lancelike, adjectiveun·lanced, adjective

Words nearby lance

Lancashire chair, Lancashire heeler, Lancaster, Lancaster Sound, Lancastrian, lance, lance corporal, lancejack, lancelet, Lancelot, Lancelot, Sir

Other definitions for lance (2 of 3)

lance²

[ lans, lahns ]

/ læns, lɑns /

noun

sand lance.

Origin of lance

First recorded in 1620–30; perhaps special use of lance¹, from its shape

Other definitions for lance (3 of 3)

Lance

[ lans ]

/ læns /

noun

a male given name.

How to use lance in a sentence

The next day, Greene staked out Lopez’s apartment by Madison Square Park, and he and Lance joked about how Remini looked in a press photo, trying to decide if she was pregnant or not.
Texts Reveal How the Church of Scientology Shadowed Leah Remini and Jennifer Lopez|Tony Ortega|June 17, 2021|The Daily Beast
Duke, who Lance calls “the possessive, often violent heiress” wasn’t at all pleased that Tirella was leaving.
Did Doris Duke get away with murder?|Kathi Wolfe|April 28, 2021|Washington Blade
For Lance, a Newport native, something about the case, “sat unsolved, like a stone in my shoe,” he writes.
Did Doris Duke get away with murder?|Kathi Wolfe|April 28, 2021|Washington Blade
That’s why Lance, who is more of a developmental prospect but with very impressive physical gifts, would make sense as the choice.
The biggest NFL draft questions with three weeks to go before the first round|John Clayton|April 8, 2021|Washington Post

They could take Fields or Lance, but the problem with drafting a quarterback is that financially they are locked in to Matt Ryan for the next two years.
The biggest NFL draft questions with three weeks to go before the first round|John Clayton|April 8, 2021|Washington Post
Crossover performer and Pervout.com owner Lance Hart avoids some of the increased risk his fellow colleagues face.
Risky Business or None of Your Business? Gay XXX Films and the Condom Question|Aurora Snow|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After Mia overdoses on heroin, Vincent brings her to the home of Lance and Jody.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Ah, that trip with Lance," he said, then glanced down, with those melancholy eyes.
When I Met Robin Williams in Afghanistan|Matthew Kaminski|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If you didn't think Lance Bass was having an awesome time being Lance Bass, then think again.
The Ice Bucket Challenge: Celebrities Promote ALS Awareness, Washboard Abs|Amy Zimmerman|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And all I really knew about you was what I heard through Lance, Inc.
I Pushed the Lance Armstrong Lie: An Open Letter to Greg LeMond|Mark McKinnon|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Right over the stone marker, a long-shafted war-lance was carved—the blade pointing down.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Where sabre, lance, and bayonet, right soon would turn and flee!
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Stop and try a ride, Billy, urged Lance Darby, holding the cord of the tugging kite.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
She made so much noise that Lance grabbed at her and tried to put her out of the room, Topsy still barking furiously.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
That was a great scheme you suggested about the kite the other day, Laura, declared Lance Darby.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for lance

lance

/ (lɑːns) /

noun

a long weapon with a pointed head used by horsemen to unhorse or injure an opponent

a similar weapon used for hunting, whaling, etc

surgery another name for lancet

the sand lanceSee sand eel

verb (tr)

to pierce (an abscess or boil) with a lancet to drain off pus

to pierce with or as if with a lance

Word Origin for lance

C13 launce, from Old French lance, from Latin lancea

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lance

Origin of lance

OTHER WORDS FROM lance

Words nearby lance

Other definitions for lance (2 of 3)

Origin of lance

Other definitions for lance (3 of 3)

Words related to lance

How to use lance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lance

Word Origin for lance