spike

¹ American  

[spahyk] / spaɪk /

noun

1. a naillike fastener, 3 to 12 inches (7.6 to 30.5 centimeters) long and proportionately thicker than a common nail, for fastening together heavy timbers or railroad track.

2. something resembling such a nail; a stiff, sharp-pointed piece or part.

   to set spikes in the top of a cement wall.

3. a sharp-pointed piece of metal set with the point outward, as on a weapon.

4. an abrupt increase or rise.

   a chart showing a spike of unusual activity in the stock market; a sudden spike of electrical current.

5. a rectangular or naillike metal projection on the heel and sole of a shoe for improving traction, as of a baseball player or a runner.

6. spikes, a pair of shoes having such projections.

7. the unbranched antler of a young deer.

8. Botany. a flower stalk.

9. a pointed portion of a continuous curve or graph, usually rising above the adjacent portion.

   a spike in the value of the voltage.

10. Volleyball. a hard smash, hit close to the net, almost straight down into the opponent's court.

11. Slang. a hypodermic needle.

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verb (used with object)

spiked, spiking

1. to fasten or secure with a spike or spikes.

2. to provide or set with a spike or spikes.

3. to pierce with or impale on a spike.

4. to set or stud with something suggesting spikes.

5. to injure (another player or a competitor) with the spikes of one's shoe, as in baseball.

6. Volleyball. to hit (a ball in the air) with a powerful, overarm motion from a position close to the net so as to cause it to travel almost straight down into the court of the opponents.

7. Football. to slam (the ball) to the ground in the end zone, after scoring a touchdown.

8. to render (a muzzle-loading gun) useless by driving a spike into the touchhole.

9. to make ineffective; frustrate or thwart.

   to spike a rumor; to spike someone's chances for promotion.

10. Informal.

    1. to add alcoholic liquor to (a drink).

    2. to add (a chemical, poison, or other substance) to.

       The cocoa was spiked with cyanide.

11. Journalism Slang. to refuse (a story) by or as if by placing on a spindle.

verb (used without object)

spiked, spiking

1. to rise or increase sharply (often followed byup ).

   Interest rates spiked up last week.

idioms

1. spike someone's guns. gun.

spike ² American  

[spahyk] / spaɪk /

noun

1. an ear, as of wheat or other grain.

2. Botany. an inflorescence in which the flowers are without a stalk, or apparently so, along an elongated, unbranched axis.

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spike ¹ British  

/ spaɪk /

noun

1. a sharp point

2. any sharp-pointed object, esp one made of metal

3. a long metal nail

4. physics

   1. a transient variation in voltage or current in an electric circuit

   2. a graphical recording of this, such as one of the peaks on an electroencephalogram

5. (plural) shoes with metal projections on the sole and heel for greater traction, as used by athletes

6. the straight unbranched antler of a young deer

7. slang another word for dosshouse

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verb

1. to secure or supply with or as with spikes

2. to render ineffective or block the intentions of; thwart

3. to impale on a spike

4. to add alcohol to (a drink)

5. journalism to reject (a news story)

6. volleyball to hit (a ball) sharply downwards with an overarm motion from the front of one's own court into the opposing court

7. (formerly) to render (a cannon) ineffective by blocking its vent with a spike

8. to thwart someone's purpose

spike ² British  

/ spaɪk /

noun

1. an inflorescence consisting of a raceme of sessile flowers, as in the gladiolus and sedges

2. an ear of wheat, barley, or any other grass that has sessile spikelets

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spike Scientific  

/ spīk /

1. An elongated indeterminate inflorescence in which the flowers are attached directly to a common stem, rather than borne on individual stalks arising from the stem. The gladiolus produces spikes. The distinctive spikes of grasses such as wheat or barley are known as spikelets.

2. See illustration at inflorescence

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Other Word Forms

• spikelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of spike¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun spik(e), from Old Norse spīkr “nail”; akin to Old Norse spīk “splinter,” Middle Low German spīker “nail”

Origin of spike²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English spik(e), spika, probably special use of spike ¹, influenced by Latin spīca “ear of grain”

Explanation

A spike is a sharp point, often made of metal or wood, but not always. Hedgehogs have long skinny spikes that keep them from being eaten by predators. The wide metal nails that fasten railroad ties to rails are called "rail spikes." A spike can be big like those rail spikes, or small like the ones on the bottom of a cleat. And, extremely high-heeled shoes are sometimes called "spike heels." When something increases and abruptly decreases, like the price of sugar or a fever, it spikes. To spike a volleyball, smash it over the net. Spike shares a root with the Latin spina, for "spine or thorn."

Example Sentences

“That spike is a huge hit on someone’s take-home pay, whether they’re a small-business owner or W-2 employee at a company,” said Mark Valentino, head of business banking at Citizens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

One can see that the stock’s implied volatility increases into a spike and then plunges, creating a “sawtooth” pattern.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

“We had the biggest spike in the first couple months. ... There really hasn’t been a massive uptick in sales since.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Adding to the pain, a spike in fuel prices from the Iran war has sent costs for air conditioning and back-up generators shooting up alongside the mercury.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

I love the thud as the spike sinks into the board.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell