lance
lahns
Lance (noun) means a long spear, traditionally carried by a mounted soldier or knight. Example: “The jousting knight carried a long wooden lance decorated with ribbons.”
noun
1
A long spear, traditionally carried by a mounted soldier or knight.
"The jousting knight carried a long wooden lance decorated with ribbons."
"At the museum, we saw a rusty lance hanging above the fireplace."
"The knight lowered his lance and charged."
verb
1
To cut open, especially a boil or abscess, with a sharp instrument to drain it.
"The doctor will lance the boil to let it drain."
"A vet may need to lance the swelling on the dog's paw."
"to lance a vein or an abscess"
"The nurse had to lance the infected wound."
How to use lance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long spear used by mounted soldiers, or (as a verb) to pierce and drain something like a boil.
Common pairings
lance a boil
jousting lance
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Word forms
- Plural
- lances
- Third person singular
- lances
- Past tense
- lanced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The jousting knight carried a long wooden _____ decorated with ribbons.
Etymology
From Old French lance, from Latin lancea, a word for a light spear.
Related words
Rhymes for lance
See all rhymes for lance →Frequently asked questions
What does “lance” mean?
The word “lance” means a long spear, traditionally carried by a mounted soldier or knight. In plain terms, a long spear used by mounted soldiers, or (as a verb) to pierce and drain something like a boil.
How do you pronounce “lance”?
“Lance” is pronounced lahns (/læns/ in IPA).
How do you use “lance” in a sentence?
Here is “lance” used in a sentence: “The knight lowered his lance and charged.”
What part of speech is “lance”?
Depending on how it is used, “lance” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lance” come from?
The word “lance” comes from Latin. From Old French lance, from Latin lancea, a word for a light spear.
Is “lance” a common word?
“Lance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “lance” have?
“Lance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long spear, traditionally carried by a mounted soldier or knight.
What is the difference between a lance and a spear?
A lance is a specific kind of long spear designed to be carried by a mounted soldier or knight and used in a charge. A spear is the general term for any pole with a pointed head, thrown or thrust, and used on foot or horseback.
What is the difference between a lance and a javelin?
A lance is a long, heavy spear held and thrust from horseback rather than thrown. A javelin is a lighter spear made to be thrown a distance, whether as a weapon or in athletics.
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