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

Most importantly sharpening the tip of the spear — get the offensive line right.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

Fighters wrap ropes around their punching hand, named "the spear", and block oncoming blows with the other, referred to as the "shield".

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

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

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

Hoping to catch Abel napping, the owl swept down from an old decayed tree—it seemed at home in rotten trees—but Abel had his spear at the ready the moment the owl reached him.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• dart
• harpoon
• skewer