spear

¹ American  

[speer] / spɪər /

noun

1. a long, stabbing weapon for thrusting or throwing, consisting of a wooden shaft to which a sharp-pointed head, as of iron or steel, is attached.

2. a soldier or other person armed with such a weapon; spearman.

   an army of 40,000 spears.

3. a similar weapon or stabbing implement, as one for use in fishing.

4. the act of spearing.

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adjective

1. spear side.

verb (used with object)

1. to pierce with or as with a spear.

verb (used without object)

1. to go or penetrate like a spear.

   The plane speared through the clouds.

spear ² American  

[speer] / spɪər /

noun

1. a sprout or shoot of a plant, as a blade of grass or an acrospire of grain.

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verb (used without object)

1. to sprout; shoot; send up or rise in a spear or spears.

spear ¹ British  

/ spɪə /

noun

1. a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp pointed end of metal, stone, or wood that may be thrown or thrust

2. a similar implement used to catch fish

3. another name for spearman

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verb

1. to pierce (something) with or as if with a spear

spear ² British  

/ spɪə /

noun

1. a shoot, slender stalk, or blade, as of grass, asparagus, or broccoli

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Other Word Forms

• spearer noun

Etymology

Origin of spear¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun spere, sper(re), Old English spere; cognate with Dutch, German speer

Origin of spear²

First recorded in 1640–50; variant of spire ¹, perhaps influenced by spear ¹

Example Sentences

He has repeatedly referred to California as “the tip of the spear of climate change,” including after last January’s Palisades Fire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

The Wisconsin locals trying to spear a 200-pound fish.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

Russia's forces have recently gained limited control over a spear of land to the south of Vovchansk that would bring them closer to this target.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

They mouth thank you as they spear a noodle one-handed, already fielding another call from the office.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

He planted his spear and tried to look as fierce as possible with a kitten on his shoulder.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• dart
• harpoon
• skewer