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Synonyms

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.


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.


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

"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

verb

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

"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
spear 2 British  
/ spɪə /

noun

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

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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