An Encylopedia Britannica Company

May 05, 2019 Word of the Day

spike /ˈspaɪk/ noun
spike
/ˈspaɪk/
noun

plural spikes

A fence with spikes along the top
A fence with spikes along the top
Definition of SPIKE

1 [count] : a long, thin rod that ends in a point and is often made of metal

  • There are spikes on top of the fence.

  • The climbers drove metal spikes into the ice.

  • a railroad spike [=a large nail used to attach rails to railroad ties]

2 [count] : a sudden, rapid increase in something

  • There's been a spike in traffic since the new grocery store opened.

  • a price spike

3 a [count] : a metal point attached to the bottom of shoes worn by athletes in some sports — usually plural

  • I need to replace the spikes on my golf shoes.

b spikes [plural] : shoes with metal points attached to the bottom

  • Baseball players usually wear spikes.

  • a pair of spikes

c spikes [plural] : women's shoes with high, thin heels

  • She wore (a pair of) spikes. [=spike heels]

4 [count] : a long, narrow group of flowers that grow on one stem

  • a spike of flowers = a flower spike

More Words of the Day