spike
spike — noun
1. a thin, sharply pointed object made of a hard substance such as iron or steel, o
a thin, sharply pointed object made of a hard substance such as iron or steel, often attached along the upper edge of gates and fences to stop people from climbing over
The old iron gate had sharp spikes along the top to stop people climbing over.
collocation: iron spikes / sharp spikes
Nikhil cut his hand on a metal spike sticking out of the broken fence.
collocation: metal spike
A row of stone spikes lined the edge of the old castle wall.
The workers wore thick gloves to protect themselves from the sharp metal spikes on the bars.
- metal spike
- iron spike
- sharp spike
- stone spike
- row of spikes
Usage Note
Often used of protective or decorative pointed elements on gates, fences, railings, and walls.
2. a type of shoe used in sports, with short pointed studs on the bottom surface th
a type of shoe used in sports, with short pointed studs on the bottom surface that help the athlete keep a firm footing on the ground
The runners put on their spikes before stepping onto the track for the final race.
plural form: spikes
Salma bought a new pair of running spikes for the cross-country competition.
His spikes gave him better grip on the wet grass during the football game.
collocation: grip + spikes
Most professional sprinters wear lightweight spikes that are made for their feet.
- running spikes
- track spikes
- pair of spikes
- wear spikes
- put on spikes
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural form (spikes). Can refer either to the points themselves or to the shoes that have them.
3. a sudden and large increase in the amount, level, or price of something, especia
a sudden and large increase in the amount, level, or price of something, especially one that does not stay high for very long
There has been a sharp spike in the price of fresh vegetables this month.
collocation: sharp spike + in [something]
The sudden temperature spike caused the snow to melt very quickly.
collocation: temperature spike
Summer storms often cause a spike in the number of power cuts across the region.
Doctors have reported a worrying spike in the number of young people with breathing problems.
pattern: spike in [something]
- sharp spike
- sudden spike
- spike in demand
- spike in prices
- spike in temperature
Usage Note
Common in financial news, weather reports, and health data. The rise is usually shown as a sharp upward line on a graph.
4. in volleyball, an action in which a player jumps and hits the ball hard so that
in volleyball, an action in which a player jumps and hits the ball hard so that it travels sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court
Marta scored the winning point with a powerful spike that the defenders could not reach.
collocation: powerful spike
The team spent the whole afternoon practising their spikes and blocks.
plural form: spikes
Hannah's spike was so fast that it hit the floor before anyone could move.
The coach showed the players how to time their jump for the most effective spike.
- powerful spike
- hit a spike
- score with a spike
- practise spikes
- spike and block
spike — verb
1. to increase suddenly and quickly to a much higher level, often before falling ba
to increase suddenly and quickly to a much higher level, often before falling back down again
Temperatures in the city spiked to forty degrees Celsius during the summer heatwave.
pattern: spike + to + [measurement]
The company's share price spiked sharply after news of the new product was announced.
pattern: spike + sharply/ suddenly/ dramatically
Sumin's heart rate spiked when she heard the loud explosion near her apartment.
physiological: heart rate spikes
Electricity demand spikes every evening when people come home and turn on the air conditioning.
pattern: [quantity] spikes when/if [condition]
- spike sharply
- spike suddenly
- spike dramatically
- spike to a record
- price spikes
- temperature spikes
Grammar Patterns
spike + adverb (suddenly/sharply/dramatically)
spike + to + number
Usage Note
Commonly used for prices, temperatures, heart rates, and other measurable quantities. The increase is typically shown as a narrow, steep line on a graph.
Common Mistakes
2. to force a sharp, pointed object into the surface of something or into someone's
to force a sharp, pointed object into the surface of something or into someone's body, causing it to go through or become stuck
The gardener spiked the metal fork deep into the hard, dry soil to loosen it.
pattern: spike + [object] + into + [surface]
A piece of broken fence spiked through the sole of Anjali's shoe as she crossed the field.
intransitive-like: spike through [something]
The fisherman spiked the large fish with a sharp metal rod to keep it still.
A nail from the construction site spiked right through the tire of Hugo's bicycle.
pattern: spike through [something]
- spike into
- spike through
- spike with a rod
- spike the ground
Grammar Patterns
spike + noun phrase + through/into + noun phrase
spike + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
Usage Note
The spike + through pattern (e.g., 'spiked through his boot') is intransitive in structure but the object is understood as the thing being pierced. More common in physical, outdoor contexts.
3. to add alcohol to a drink, or to add something strong or exciting to food or dri
to add alcohol to a drink, or to add something strong or exciting to food or drink to give it extra flavour or interest
Owen spiked the fruit punch with rum before the party guests arrived.
pattern: spike + [drink] + with + [alcohol]
The chef spiked the chocolate sauce with a little chili powder for extra heat.
metaphorical use: spike with spice/flavour
Lina spiked her coffee with a shot of whiskey to warm up on the cold day.
Sahil spiked the lemonade with vodka for the adults but left plain drinks for the children.
contrast: spiked vs plain batch
- spike with rum
- spike with whiskey
- spike a drink
- spiked punch
Grammar Patterns
spike + noun phrase (drink/food) + with + noun
Usage Note
When used without 'with,' the meaning is that alcohol was added. The metaphorical sense (adding excitement or flavour) is less common but still widely understood.
Common Mistakes
4. to secretly put a harmful drug into a drink that someone is going to drink, with
to secretly put a harmful drug into a drink that someone is going to drink, with the purpose of making them unconscious or unable to behave normally
The police warned people never to leave their drinks alone because someone might spike them.
common warning context
Élise felt dizzy and confused after someone spiked her water bottle at the party.
The investigation found that the victim's glass had been spiked with a strong sleeping drug.
passive: spiked with [drug]
Security cameras showed a stranger spiking the woman's soda while she was not watching.
- spike a drink
- spiked with a drug
- drink spiked
- get spiked
- spike someone's drink
Grammar Patterns
spike + noun phrase (drink) + with + noun (drug/poison)
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3 (ADD ALCOHOL): this sense involves illegal or harmful substances, not just alcohol. The context is always negative or dangerous.
5. in volleyball, to jump and hit the ball with great force so that it travels shar
in volleyball, to jump and hit the ball with great force so that it travels sharply downward over the net into the opponent's side of the court
James jumped high and spiked the ball past the two blockers on the other side.
transitive: spike + the ball
Dewi is the team's best attacker because she can spike powerfully from any position.
intransitive: can spike (no object)
The outside hitter spiked the ball straight down into the empty corner of the court.
Chiara practised her approach and jump until she could spike the ball with great power.
- spike the ball
- spike hard
- spike past the blockers
- spike from the net
Grammar Patterns
spike + noun phrase (ball)
spike (no object)
Usage Note
The volleyball sense is the same as noun sense 4. When used intransitively ('she spikes well'), the ball is implied.
6. in American football, to push the ball hard against the ground, either to freeze
in American football, to push the ball hard against the ground, either to freeze the game clock or to express joy once a team has crossed the goal line
After his touchdown, Christopher spiked the football hard onto the grass in celebration.
celebratory: spike after touchdown
The quarterback spiked the ball to stop the clock with only three seconds left.
tactical: spike to stop the clock
Brandon was given a penalty for spiking the ball too aggressively at the referee.
The crowd cheered as the receiver caught the pass and spiked the ball in the end zone.
- spike the ball
- spike the football
- touchdown spike
- spike to stop the clock
Grammar Patterns
spike + noun phrase (ball)
Usage Note
Frequently seen in American football broadcasts and news. The celebration spike (after a touchdown) is distinct from the tactical spike (to stop the clock before the end of a half).
7. to put an illegal or harmful substance into a person through a needle, with the
to put an illegal or harmful substance into a person through a needle, with the aim of making them lose consciousness or become unable to think clearly
Andrés was arrested for spiking himself with heroin in a public bathroom.
reflexive: spike + oneself + with [drug]
The hospital treated several young people who had spiked themselves with dangerous drugs.
A nurse was fired for spiking patients with unnecessary sedatives.
pattern: spike + someone + with [substance]
The documentary showed how some young people end up spiking themselves with opioids.
- spike oneself
- spike with heroin
- spike with a drug
Grammar Patterns
spike + reflexive pronoun + with + noun
spike + noun phrase (drug) + into + body part
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 4 (DRUG DRINK): this sense involves injection with a needle, not adding to a drink. Often used reflexively (spike oneself).
8. to stop an article from being printed in a newspaper or magazine, usually becaus
to stop an article from being printed in a newspaper or magazine, usually because the editor considers it inappropriate or likely to cause trouble
The editor decided to spike the story about the politician because of a lack of evidence.
passive context: story was spiked by editor
Reporters were disappointed when the magazine spiked their investigation at the last minute.
Legal concerns forced the publisher to spike the article before it went to print.
The editor-in-chief spiked the column after receiving a complaint from the lawyer.
subject: editor-in-chief
- spike a story
- spike an article
- spike an investigation
Grammar Patterns
spike + noun phrase (article/story/report)
Usage Note
Primarily British English journalism term. The American equivalent is 'to kill a story.'
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four verbs describe a rapid increase, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Spike' emphasises a sudden, narrow peak that often falls back quickly — like a sharp point on a graph. 'Surge' suggests a powerful, continuous forward movement, often used for electricity, water, or emotions ('a surge of anger'). 'Jump' is the most informal and general, simply indicating an abrupt change from one level to another ('prices jumped 5%'). 'Skyrocket' is dramatic and informal, implying an extreme and uncontrolled rise that 'goes through the roof.' In financial news, 'spike' is preferred for short-lived peaks; 'surge' for sustained upward momentum; 'jump' for everyday conversation; and 'skyrocket' for sensational headlines. For example: 'Oil prices spiked after the earthquake but fell again the next day' versus 'Demand for electric cars has surged over the past five years.'
Common collocations
Nouns
- price
- temperature
- demand
- rate
- level
- heart rate
- blood pressure
- power usage
Phrases
- spike in prices
- spike in demand
- temperature spike
- sharp spike
- sudden spike
Prepositions
- in (spike in demand)
- to (spike to a record high)
- of (spike of 10%)
- at (spike at noon)
Etymology
The word 'spike' comes from the Old Norse word 'spík,' which meant a long, thin piece of wood or a nail. It entered the English language during the Viking Age, when Norse settlers brought the term to Britain. The original meaning of a sharp-pointed nail or rod has expanded over time: the verb sense of 'pierce with a spike' appeared in the 1600s, the sports-shoe sense emerged in the 1800s with the rise of modern athletics, the volleyball sense developed in the early 1900s, and the meaning of 'a sudden sharp increase' became common in the 1900s as people used the image of a spike-shaped peak on a graph.