Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large, stout nail: A heavy, sharp-pointed metal fastener.
   • A sharp-pointed projection or object: Any rigid, sharp-pointed implement or feature, such as on a fence, a shoe, or an animal.
   • A sharp, sudden increase: A rapid and significant rise in a measured quantity, like voltage, current, or a graph line.
   • A type of flower cluster: In botany, an unbranched, elongated inflorescence with stalkless flowers attached directly to the main stem.
   • Sports equipment: A sharp point or a set of points attached to the sole of an athletic shoe for better traction.

2. Verb:

   • To pierce or impale with a sharp point: To secure or stab with something pointed.
   • To increase sharply and suddenly: To manifest a rapid, often transient, rise.
   • To add alcohol or another substance: To secretly mix a substance, especially alcohol, into a drink.
   • To form or produce a spike: To send up or develop a sharp-pointed projection or a flower spike.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Workers hammered a railroad spike into the wooden tie.
  • The dinosaur had a row of bony spikes along its back.
  • There was a sudden spike in electricity demand during the heatwave.
  • Wheat produces a dense spike of grains.
  • The runner's shoes had metal spikes for the race.

• Verb:

  • He spiked the document onto the metal rod.
  • Interest rates spiked after the announcement.
  • Someone spiked the punch at the party.
  • The plant will spike with beautiful purple flowers in the spring.

Advanced Usage

• "To spike a story": To reject or stop a news story from being published.
  • The editor spiked the controversial article.
• "Spike someone's guns": To ruin someone's plans or render their efforts useless.
  • Their clever defense spiked the guns of the prosecution's argument.

Variants and Related Words

• Spiky (adj): Having many spikes; sharp-pointed.
  • The plant has spiky leaves.
• Spiked (adj): Fitted with spikes; (of a drink) having alcohol added.
  • She wore spiked heels. / I didn't know the lemonade was spiked.

Synonyms

• Noun: Nail, prong, thorn, surge, peak.
• Verb: Impale, spear, pierce, surge, rise, lace (as in a drink).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Spike up: To rise sharply.
  • Prices spiked up overnight.
• Spike out: (Less common) To extend or project sharply.
  • Crystals spiked out from the rock surface.

Related Idioms

• Spike a fever: To develop a high fever very quickly.
  • The child spiked a fever of 104 degrees.
• Spike the ball (in American football): To throw the ball forcefully to the ground in celebration after a touchdown.
  • The wide receiver spiked the ball after scoring.

Noun

1. a large stout nail
   • they used spikes to fasten the rails to a railroad tie
2. any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object
   • the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order
3. a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal)
   • one of the spikes impaled him
4. a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur)
5. each of the sharp points on the soles of athletic shoes to prevent slipping (or the shoes themselves)
   • the second baseman sharpened his spikes before every game
   • golfers' spikes damage the putting greens
6. a very high narrow heel on women's shoes
7. a sharp rise followed by a sharp decline
   • the seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor
8. (botany) an indeterminate inflorescence bearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis
9. fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn
10. sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes
    • spikes provide greater traction
11. a transient variation in voltage or current

Verb

1. manifest a sharp increase
   • the voltage spiked
2. add alcohol to (beverages)
   • the punch is spiked!
3. bring forth a spike or spikes
   • my hyacinths and orchids are spiking now
4. secure with spikes
5. pierce with a sharp stake or point
   • impale a shrimp on a skewer
6. stand in the way of