noun
Uncommon
spear
speer
Spear (noun) means a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, used for thrusting or throwing. Example: “The ancient warriors carried spears and shields into battle.”
noun
1
A weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, used for thrusting or throwing.
"The ancient warriors carried spears and shields into battle."
"In the museum, we saw a bronze spear that was thousands of years old."
"The hunter sharpened the tip of his wooden spear by the fire."
2
A long, thin piece cut from a vegetable.
"She served asparagus spears with the salmon."
"Cut the broccoli into thin spears so that they cook quickly."
"He dipped a cucumber spear into the creamy sauce."
verb
1
To pierce with a spear or something similarly sharp and long.
"He speared a piece of chicken with his fork."
"The fisherman speared a fish in the shallow water near the rocks."
"She speared an olive on a cocktail stick and offered it to me."
How to use spear
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long pointed weapon, a long thin food piece (like an asparagus spear), or the act of stabbing something with a pointed object.
Common pairings
asparagus spear
spear a fish
throw a spear
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Word forms
- Plural
- spears
- Third person singular
- spears
- Past tense
- speared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ancient warriors carried _____ and shields into battle.
Etymology
From Old English spere, going back to a Proto-Germanic root for a pointed weapon; related to German Speer.
Related words
Rhymes for spear
See all rhymes for spear →Frequently asked questions
What does “spear” mean?
The word “spear” means a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, used for thrusting or throwing. In plain terms, a long pointed weapon, a long thin food piece (like an asparagus spear), or the act of stabbing something with a pointed object.
How do you pronounce “spear”?
“Spear” is pronounced speer (/spɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “spear” in a sentence?
Here is “spear” used in a sentence: “The ancient warriors carried spears and shields into battle.”
What is the opposite of “spear”?
The opposite of “spear” — its antonyms — is distaff.
What part of speech is “spear”?
Depending on how it is used, “spear” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spear” come from?
The word “spear” comes from Old English. From Old English spere, going back to a Proto-Germanic root for a pointed weapon; related to German Speer.
Is “spear” a common word?
“Spear” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spear” have?
“Spear” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, used for thrusting or throwing.
What is the difference between a spear and a javelin?
A spear is a long-shafted weapon with a sharp point used for thrusting or throwing in general combat or hunting, while a javelin is specifically designed and balanced for throwing, often in athletic competition. All javelins are essentially spears, but not all spears are built for throwing.
Why is a piece of asparagus called a spear?
A vegetable spear refers to a long, thin piece cut from a vegetable, and the term is used because the shape resembles the long, pointed form of a weapon spear. This is most common with asparagus, which is typically sold and described in "spears."
Can spear be used as a verb?
Yes, spear can be used as a verb meaning to pierce something with a spear or a similarly sharp, long object, such as spearing a piece of food with a fork.
