noun
Uncommon
pike
pyk
Pike (noun) means a long spear once carried by foot soldiers, used for thrusting rather than throwing. Example: “Ranks of infantry braced their pikes against the oncoming cavalry charge.”
noun
1
A long spear once carried by foot soldiers, used for thrusting rather than throwing.
"Ranks of infantry braced their pikes against the oncoming cavalry charge."
"Museums display pikes that stretch over five metres long."
"The soldier leaned on his heavy pike while he kept watch at the gate."
2
A large predatory freshwater fish with a long body and pointed jaws.
"He hooked a pike nearly a metre long in the reeds by the riverbank."
"Anglers say a pike will lurk motionless among the weeds before it strikes."
"The pike snapped at the small fish and disappeared into the dark water."
verb
1
To back out of a plan, commitment, or fight at the last moment.
"He said he'd come climbing with us, then piked on the day."
"Please don't pike on me again, because I need you at the meeting."
"She nearly piked at the last minute, but her friends talked her into going."
How to use pike
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: an old-fashioned spear, a toothy river fish, or (informally) to chicken out of something.
Common mistake
The slang sense "to pike on something" (bail out) is mainly Australian/NZ informal usage — it will sound odd in formal writing.
Common pairings
a pike fisherman
armed with pikes
pike out of something
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Word forms
- Plural
- pikes
- Third person singular
- pikes
- Past tense
- piked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Ranks of infantry braced their _____ against the oncoming cavalry charge.
Etymology
From Middle English pyke, going back to Old English and Old French words for a sharp point; the fish and the diving position both take their names from this same idea of something pointed.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pike
See all rhymes for pike →Frequently asked questions
What does “pike” mean?
The word “pike” means a long spear once carried by foot soldiers, used for thrusting rather than throwing. In plain terms, depending on context: an old-fashioned spear, a toothy river fish, or (informally) to chicken out of something.
How do you pronounce “pike”?
“Pike” is pronounced pyk (/paɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “pike” in a sentence?
Here is “pike” used in a sentence: “Ranks of infantry braced their pikes against the oncoming cavalry charge.”
What part of speech is “pike”?
Depending on how it is used, “pike” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pike” come from?
The word “pike” comes from Old French. From Middle English pyke, going back to Old English and Old French words for a sharp point; the fish and the diving position both take their names from this same idea of something pointed.
Is “pike” a common word?
“Pike” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pike” have?
“Pike” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long spear once carried by foot soldiers, used for thrusting rather than throwing.
What is the difference between a "pike" the weapon and a "pike" the fish?
As a weapon, a pike is a long spear once carried by foot soldiers for thrusting rather than throwing, while as a fish, a pike is a large predatory freshwater species with a long body and pointed jaws. The two senses are unrelated except for sharing the same word, likely due to the fish's spear-like shape.
What does it mean to "pike" on something?
As a verb, "to pike" means to back out of a plan, commitment, or fight at the last moment, often implying a loss of nerve. This usage is informal and distinct from the noun senses referring to the weapon or fish.
Is "pike" used the same way in fishing as in slang for backing out?
No, when "pike" refers to fishing, it names a specific large predatory freshwater fish, whereas the informal verb "to pike" means to withdraw from a commitment or fight at the last minute. The two uses are unrelated in meaning despite sharing the same spelling.
