spear
1a 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.
a soldier or other person armed with such a weapon; spearman: an army of 40,000 spears.
a similar weapon or stabbing implement, as one for use in fishing.
the act of spearing.
to pierce with or as with a spear.
to go or penetrate like a spear: The plane speared through the clouds.
Origin of spear
1Other words from spear
- spearer, noun
Words Nearby spear
Other definitions for spear (2 of 2)
a sprout or shoot of a plant, as a blade of grass or an acrospire of grain.
Origin of spear
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spear in a sentence
On a scorching day this August, Caleb Woodall wielded his shovel like a spear, stabbing it into the hardened crust of an asbestos-filled pit near Coalinga, California.
Asbestos could be a powerful weapon against climate change (you read that right) | James Temple | October 6, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewScientists long believed that the ancients who lived 80,000 years ago were the first to throw spears with stone tips.
Let’s learn about ancient technology | Bethany Brookshire | September 15, 2020 | Science News For StudentsThe first spear-throwers tossed their weapons 279,000 years ago — before modern humans existed.
Let’s learn about ancient technology | Bethany Brookshire | September 15, 2020 | Science News For StudentsIt’s possible, he says, that bone points were attached to multi-pronged spears that were thrown or thrust at fish.
Clues to the earliest known bow-and-arrow hunting outside Africa have been found | Bruce Bower | June 12, 2020 | Science NewsEach of two newly analyzed specimens sports a toothy lower jaw and one giant spear jutting down from its top jaw.
Saber-toothed anchovy relatives were once fearsome hunters | Carolyn Wilke | June 11, 2020 | Science News For Students
In some versions of that story, the spear is the first weapon George tries.
How to Save Silent Movies: Inside New Jersey’s Cinema Paradiso | Rich Goldstein | October 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe earliest clear evidence of a human killed by a spear dates to roughly 100,000 years ago.
And, as we all know, “this ‘war on Christmas’ is the tip of the spear in a larger battle to secularize our culture.”
Sarah Palin Is Here to Save Christmas, Thank God | Candida Moss | November 13, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThis could be the tip of the spear in a larger battle to Christianize Jewish culture.
Sarah Palin Is Here to Save Christmas, Thank God | Candida Moss | November 13, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST“I almost died twice today,” Shane exclaims, after beheading the snake with a pointed stick he whittled to a spear.
‘Naked and Afraid’ Is the Craziest Show on TV—You Just Have to Watch | Kevin Fallon | July 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThis was no strange sight to the boy by that time, but it was awkward in the circumstances, for he had neither gun nor spear.
The Giant of the North | R.M. BallantyneMafuta immediately rushed at him with a spear, but was caught by the lion on the shoulder, and dragged down.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneThis last spear is propelled by a throwing-stick, which was also found lying by it.
There they waited to spear the reindeer, while others hid behind rocks near the entrance to drive the reindeer on.
The Later Cave-Men | Katharine Elizabeth DoppWhen they worked in this way, they had no trouble in striking off flakes for spear points and knives.
The Later Cave-Men | Katharine Elizabeth Dopp
British Dictionary definitions for spear (1 of 2)
/ (spɪə) /
a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp pointed end of metal, stone, or wood that may be thrown or thrust
a similar implement used to catch fish
another name for spearman
to pierce (something) with or as if with a spear
Origin of spear
1Derived forms of spear
- spearer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for spear (2 of 2)
/ (spɪə) /
a shoot, slender stalk, or blade, as of grass, asparagus, or broccoli
Origin of spear
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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