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)

• spikes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• spiked,
  past participle,  past
• spiking
  present participle

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)

• spikes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• spiked,
  past participle,  past
• spiking
  present participle

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

Derived Forms

• spikelike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• spiking
  present
• spiked
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• spike
  simple
• spikes
  simple
• have spiked
  perfect
• has spiked
  perfect
• am spiking
  progressive
• are spiking
  progressive
• is spiking
  progressive
• have been spiking
  perfect progressive
• has been spiking
  perfect progressive

Past

• spiked
  simple
• had spiked
  perfect
• was spiking
  progressive
• were spiking
  progressive
• had been spiking
  perfect progressive

Future

• will spike
  simple
• will have spiked
  perfect
• will be spiking
  progressive
• will have been spiking
  perfect progressive

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

See Examples For:

spike spikes spiked spiking

It’s not too early to start thinking about those holiday flights, especially given the spike in airfares this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Bessent’s comments show that the recent spike in rates at the long end of the bond market has “hit a raw nerve” in the White House, said Chris Turner, a markets strategist for ING.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

Analysts warned the prospect of a prolonged spike in crude was troubling traders.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal saw a huge spike in followers, as did Bellingham.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

I reach for another spike, for its skin, but I’m falling too fast to grab hold of anything.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Here are the school supplies with the biggest spikes in price:

From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026

Missouri’s Legislature passed a law last year to protect residential consumers from price spikes caused by large users, though critics complain it has loopholes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

According to research conducted by Brad Cornell, who was a professor emeritus of financial economics at UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management, the majority of the market’s biggest one-day spikes occurred during bear markets.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

"The limited extension during this period makes a temporary contribution to mitigating the exposure of the electricity system and Spanish consumers to previously unforeseen price spikes," said the announcement.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Built of stout timber, banded with iron, beset with florin spikes, the door did not appear to be locked.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Premium sports franchises have spiked in value so rapidly that sticker shock is nil.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

This year’s men’s and women’s Open singles winners will each take home $5.5 million after organizers, responding to player appeals for a larger share of revenue, spiked the overall payout 20%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Social media accounts spiked, shirts sold out, match tickets went for stupid money.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

In a world where influencers warn of spiked cortisol levels and disrupted circadian rhythms, plenty of consumers are turning to prebiotic sodas, sugar-free beverages, and refreshers as substitutes.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026

It was gray and spiked with dead trees and surrounded by cloudy water.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown

But if the first go-rounds last year were tragedy—depressing stocks, spiking prices, and rending hearts in both countries—the latest skirmish is starting to look more like farce.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

This can be tactically useful in the short run to keep long-term yields from spiking.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026

The price of oil has fallen toward pre-Iran war levels, easing worries that spiking energy prices will push up inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

Valve recently launched its new Steam Machine gaming PC with a higher price than expected, starting its announcement with a long explanation about spiking component costs.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

Jam froze with her hands tangled in a towel, her heartbeat spiking to a blur.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi