pike

[ pahyk ]

/ paɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pike ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural (especially collectively) pike, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) pikes.

any of several large, slender, voracious freshwater fishes of the genus Esox, having a long, flat snout: the blue pike of the Great Lakes is now extinct.

any of various superficially similar fishes, as the walleye or pikeperch.

Nearby words

pik, pik pobedy, pika, pikake, pikau, pike, pike pole, pike's peak, pikeblenny, piked dogfish, pikelet

Origin of pike

1275–1325; Middle English; so called from its pointed snout (see pike⁵)

Related forms

pike·like, adjective

Definition for pike (2 of 8)

pike

[ pahyk ]

/ paɪk /

noun

a shafted weapon having a pointed head, formerly used by infantry.

verb (used with object), piked, pik·ing.

to pierce, wound, or kill with or as with a pike.

Origin of pike

1505–15; < Middle French pique, feminine variant of pic pick² < Germanic. See pike⁵, pique¹

Definition for pike (3 of 8)

pike

[ pahyk ]

/ paɪk /

noun

a toll road or highway; turnpike road.

a turnpike or tollgate.

the toll paid at a tollgate.

Origin of pike

1820–30, Americanism; short for turnpike

Definition for pike (4 of 8)

pike

⁴

[ pahyk ]

/ paɪk /

noun Chiefly British.

a hill or mountain with a pointed summit.

Origin of pike

⁴

1350–1400; Middle English; special use of pike⁵; compare Old English hornpīc pinnacle

Definition for pike (5 of 8)

pike

⁵

[ pahyk ]

/ paɪk /

noun

a sharply pointed projection or spike.

the pointed end of anything, as of an arrow or a spear.

Origin of pike

⁵

before 900; Middle English pik pick, spike, (pilgrim's) staff, Old English pīc pointed tool. See pick²

Definition for pike (6 of 8)

pike

⁶

[ pahyk ]

/ paɪk /

verb (used without object), piked, pik·ing. Older Slang.

to go, leave, or move along quickly.

Origin of pike

⁶

1425–75; late Middle English pyke (reflexive); perhaps orig. to equip oneself with a walking stick. See pike⁵

Definition for pike (7 of 8)

pike

⁷

[ pahyk ]

/ paɪk /

noun Diving, Gymnastics.

a body position, resembling a V shape, in which the back and head are bent forward and the legs lifted and held together, with the hands touching the feet or backs of the knees or the arms extended sideways.Compare layout(def 10), tuck¹(def 13).

Origin of pike

⁷

First recorded in 1955–60; perhaps special use of pike¹

Definition for pike (8 of 8)

Pike

[ pahyk ]

/ paɪk /

noun

James Albert,1913–69, U.S. Protestant Episcopal clergyman, lawyer, and author.

Zeb·u·lon Montgomery

[zeb-yoo-luh n] /ˈzɛb yʊ lən/, 1779–1813, U.S. general and explorer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pike

With lights flashing, the cruiser arrived at the Blooming Grove State Police barracks in Pike County.
Killer Eric Frein Held in Murdered Cop’s Cuffs|Michael Daly|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Check out the popular bakery Piroshky Piroshky in Pike Place Market for some Eastern European stuffed delights.
Where to Celebrate the Olympics by Drinking Russian Style|William O’Connor|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many probably believed he would emerge from the side carrying a pike with the head of a banker.
Wall Street CEOs Say It’s The Best of Times and The Worst of Times|Daniel Gross|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Pike was engaged to her Pride & Prejudice director Joe Wright—but the wedding was called off in 2008.
Rosamund Pike Reportedly Cast As The Lead In David Fincher’s ‘Gone Girl’|Marlow Stern|July 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

And of course we have health care coming down the pike, and all its subsidies to families up to 188 percent of the poverty line.
GOP Attracting Minorities?|Michael Tomasky|January 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He's the fastest, coolest hand that ever balanced a pike pole or rode a log.
Kindred of the Dust|Peter B. Kyne
After dark the double sentinel post should be posted on the pike about thirty yards in advance of the outguard.
Manual of Military Training|James A. Moss
In the meantime a few lake trout and pike could be caught with lines through holes in the ice.
The Whelps of the Wolf|George Marsh
Eight-hundred gudgeon are said to have been consumed in three weeks by eight pike of not more than five pounds weight each.
Natural History in Anecdote|Various
The receipt of Hindman's order of June 17 was the signal for Pike to pen another lengthy letter412 of description and protest.
The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War|Annie Heloise Abel

British Dictionary definitions for pike (1 of 5)

pike

/ (paɪk) /

noun plural pike or pikes

any of several large predatory freshwater teleost fishes of the genus Esox, esp E. lucius (northern pike), having a broad flat snout, strong teeth, and an elongated body covered with small scales: family Esocidae

any of various similar fishes

Word Origin for pike

C14: short for pikefish, from Old English pīc point, with reference to the shape of its jaw

British Dictionary definitions for pike (2 of 5)

pike

/ (paɪk) /

noun

a medieval weapon consisting of an iron or steel spearhead joined to a long pole, the pikestaff

a point or spike

verb

(tr) to stab or pierce using a pike

Word Origin for pike

Old English pīc point, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for pike (3 of 5)

pike

/ (paɪk) /

noun

short for turnpike (def. 1)

British Dictionary definitions for pike (4 of 5)

pike

⁴

/ (paɪk) /

noun

Northern English dialect a pointed or conical hill

Word Origin for pike

Old English pīc, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for pike (5 of 5)

pike

⁵

piked (paɪkt)

/ (paɪk) /

adjective

(of the body position of a diver) bent at the hips but with the legs straight

Word Origin for pike

C20: of obscure origin

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