spear

1.nounB1

Definition

a long stick with a sharp tip at one end, used in the past for hunting, fishing, or fighting

Example

The hunter carried a wooden spear with a sharp iron point.

carried a wooden spear + sharp iron point

At the history museum, visitors can examine bronze-tipped spears from the Zhou dynasty period.

bronze-tipped spears from [dynasty]

Common collocations

throw a spear
carry a spear
spear fishing
spear tip
wooden spear

Synonyms

lance
a long thrusting weapon used by soldiers on horseback; more specific than spear
javelin
a light spear designed to be thrown in athletic competitions
harpoon
a barbed spear used specifically for hunting large fish or whales

Usage Note

A spear can be either thrown through the air or held in the hand while thrusting. In modern contexts, spears are used mainly for traditional fishing or ceremonial purposes.

2.nounB2

Definition

a young, thin stem that grows from a plant, especially one eaten as a vegetable

Example

Putri grilled fresh asparagus spears with olive oil and a pinch of salt.

asparagus spears

Romi cut fresh asparagus spears from the garden for the family salad.

Common collocations

asparagus spear
broccoli spear
spear tip
fresh spears
green spears

Synonyms

shoot
a general term for any new growth from a plant; less specific about shape
sprout
a young plant shoot just emerging from a seed; smaller than a spear

Usage Note

In food contexts, this term is almost always used with a specific plant name, such as asparagus spear or broccoli spear.

1.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to push a spear or other long pointed object into an animal or fish in order to kill or catch it

Example

The fisherman speared a large salmon in the clear mountain river.

speared + [fish]

Arjun stood at the riverbank and speared fish for the evening meal.

Common collocations

spear fish
spear a salmon
spear a wild boar

Synonyms

pierce
to make a hole through something with a sharp object; does not specifically imply a spear
stab
to push a knife or similar object into someone or something; usually implies a shorter blade
harpoon
to catch a large fish or whale with a barbed spear; more specific

Grammar Patterns

spear + object

spear + object + with + tool

Usage Note

The object is almost always an animal or fish. When the tool is not an actual spear, use the pattern speared + object + with + tool (e.g., speared the fish with a sharpened stick).

2.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to push a pointed tool such as a fork or skewer into a piece of food in order to pick it up or hold it

Example

Elena speared a piece of cheese with her fork at the party.

speared + [food] + with + [tool]

The children speared marshmallows on sticks to roast over the campfire.

Common collocations

spear food with a fork
spear a piece of meat
spear an olive
spear with a toothpick

Synonyms

stab
to push a pointed object into something; less specific to food contexts
impale
to push a sharp object completely through something; more violent in tone
skewer
to push a long thin rod through pieces of food to hold them together for cooking

Grammar Patterns

spear + object

spear + object + with + tool

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (hunting), this sense is about picking up food at the table or during cooking. The tool is typically a fork, skewer, or toothpick.

Common Mistakes

I speared the steak with my knife.

I speared the steak with my fork.

A knife cuts; spearing uses a pointed tool like a fork, not a blade.

3.verbtransitiveC1

Definition

to catch a ball by stretching an arm out quickly, especially in baseball or softball

Example

Olani speared the fly ball with one hand before it hit the grass.

speared + fly ball + with one hand

Antonia speared the line drive with a sudden stretch of her gloved hand.

Common collocations

spear a line drive
spear a fly ball
spear a grounder

Synonyms

snag
to catch something quickly; more informal and used in various sports, not just baseball
grab
to take something suddenly with the hand; broader in meaning, not specific to catching balls

Grammar Patterns

spear + object

Usage Note

This is specific to American baseball and softball. It describes a quick, stretching motion to catch a ball that would otherwise be out of reach. Not used for routine catches.

4.verbtransitiveC2

Definition

a play in ice hockey where a player pushes the long handle or flat blade of a stick into an opponent, an illegal move that earns a penalty

Example

The referee blew his whistle and gave Li a two-minute penalty for spearing.

penalty for spearing

Yael was sent off the ice after spearing another player with her stick.

Common collocations

spear an opponent
penalty for spearing
spearing with a stick

Synonyms

jab
to push a sharp or pointed object quickly; a general term, not specific to hockey
poke
to push something with a pointed object; much lighter in force than spearing

Grammar Patterns

spear + object

Usage Note

This is a specific rule violation in ice hockey. Spearing is considered a dangerous foul and usually results in a minor penalty or, if injury occurs, a major penalty and ejection.

Word family

spearer
nounC2
spearfish
nounC1
spearmint
nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe long pointed weapons, but they differ in design and use. A spear is the most general term — a pole with a sharp tip that can be thrown or thrust. A lance is a heavy spear used by soldiers on horseback, typically held under the arm during a charge. A javelin is a light spear designed specifically for throwing in athletic competitions, with a weighted tip for balance. A harpoon has backward-facing barbs near the tip so that when it enters a fish or whale, the barbs prevent it from pulling out. For example, a hunter might carry a spear through the forest, but a knight would carry a lance into battle, and an Olympic athlete would throw a javelin on the track field.

spear ↗lance ↗javelinharpoon

Common collocations

Nouns

tip
point
shaft
blade
head

Adverbs

savagely
quickly
sharply

Phrases

spear and shield
spear fishing
spear carrier

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The word spear comes from Old English spere, which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic *sperō and further to the Proto-Indo-European *sper- meaning 'spear' or 'pole'. Related words appear in many Germanic languages, such as Old Norse spjör and German Speer. The sense of a plant shoot developed later, based on the visual similarity between a young stem and the shape of the weapon.

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spear

spear — noun

1. a long stick with a sharp tip at one end, used in the past for hunting, fishing,

Usage Note

2. a young, thin stem that grows from a plant, especially one eaten as a vegetable

Usage Note

spear — verb

1. to push a spear or other long pointed object into an animal or fish in order to

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

2. to push a pointed tool such as a fork or skewer into a piece of food in order to

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. to catch a ball by stretching an arm out quickly, especially in baseball or soft

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

4. a play in ice hockey where a player pushes the long handle or flat blade of a st

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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