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1. Dictionary

   spike

   /spīk/

   noun

   • 1. a thin, pointed piece of metal, wood, or another rigid material. Similar prongbarbpointskewerstakespitprojectiontinenailpinspurpitontechnical:fidhistorical:pricketthornspinepricklebristletechnical:spicule
   • ▪ a large stout nail, especially one used to fasten a rail to a railroad tie.
   • ▪ each of several metal points set into the sole of an athletic shoe to prevent slipping.
   • ▪ a pair of athletic shoes with metal points set into the sole.
   • ▪ short for spike heel British
   • ▪ a hypodermic needle. informal
   • 2. a sharp increase in the magnitude or concentration of something: "the oil price spike"
   • ▪ a pulse of very short duration in which a rapid increase in voltage is followed by a rapid decrease.

   verb

   • 1. impale on or pierce with a sharp point: "she spiked another oyster" Similar impalespearskewerpiercepenetrateperforatestabrun throughstickspittransfixrare:transpierce
   • ▪ injure (a player) with the spikes on one's shoes.
   • ▪ (of a newspaper editor) reject (a story) by or as if by filing it on a spike: "the editors deemed the article in bad taste and spiked it"
   • ▪ stop the progress of (a plan or undertaking); put an end to: "he doubted they would spike the entire effort over this one negotiation" Similar put a stop toput an end toput the lid onscupperscotchderailfrustratefoilthwartstymiebalkhinderobstructinformal:put paid toput the kibosh onclobberdish
   • ▪ render (a gun) useless by plugging up the vent with a spike. historical
   • 2. form into or cover with sharp points: "his hair was matted and spiked with blood"
   • ▪ take on a sharp, pointed shape: "lightning spiked across the sky"
   • ▪ increase and then decrease sharply; reach a peak: "oil prices would spike and fall again"
   • 3. add alcohol or a drug to contaminate (drink or food) surreptitiously: informal "she bought me an orange juice and spiked it with vodka" Similar adulteratecontaminatedruginformal:laceslip a Mickey Finn intodopedoctorcut
   • ▪ add sharp or pungent flavoring to (food or drink): "spike the liquid with lime or lemon juice"
   • ▪ enrich (a nuclear reactor or its fuel) with a particular isotope: "the plutonium mixture could be spiked with caesium-137"
   • 4. (in volleyball) hit (the ball) forcefully from a position near the net so that it moves downward into the opposite court.
   • ▪ fling (the ball) forcefully to the ground, typically in celebration of a touchdown.

   Word Origin Middle English: perhaps from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch spiker, related to spoke1. The verb dates from the early 17th century.

   Scrabble Points: 11

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spikeSpike Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spike

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word spike, from a large nail to a protein to a sharp increase. See synonyms, examples, etymology, and related words for spike.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSPIKE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of spike as a noun and a verb in different contexts, such as sports, business, and drugs. See how to use spike in sentences and idioms with examples from the Cambridge Dictionary.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spikeSpike - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spike

   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 ."

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › spikeSPIKE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › spike

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   Spike definition: 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.. See examples of SPIKE used in a sentence.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSPIKE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word spike, from a sharp point or nail to a sudden increase or impalement. See synonyms, pronunciation, examples and related words for spike.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › spikeSpike - definition of spike by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › spike

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   Spike can mean a sharp point, a nail, a projection, a rise, a shoe, an antler, or a fish. It can also be a verb meaning to impale, to add, to terminate, or to hit.

8. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › spikespike | meaning of spike in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › spike

   • Cached

   Spike can be a noun or a verb with different meanings. As a noun, it can mean a pointed object, a sudden increase, or a type of shoe. As a verb, it can mean to add alcohol or a drug, to push something, or to prevent something from being said or printed.