spike
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
spikes
plural
spikes
Britannica Dictionary 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
2
spike
/ˈspaɪk/
verb
spikes;
spiked;
spiking
2
spike
/ˈspaɪk/
verb
spikes;
spiked;
spiking
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPIKE
1
[+ object]
a
:
to add alcohol or drugs to (food or drink)
— often + with
-
Someone spiked the punch at the party.
-
They spiked the punch with tequila.
-
The brownies were spiked with marijuana.
b
:
to add something that gives flavor or interest to (something)
— usually + with
-
She spiked the sauce with vinegar.
-
Her writing is spiked with sarcasm.
2
[no object]
chiefly US
:
to increase greatly in a short period of time
-
The medication caused his blood pressure to spike.
-
Oil and gas prices have spiked (upward) again.
3
[+ object]
sports
a
:
to hit (a volleyball) sharply downward towards the ground
-
She spiked the ball and scored the winning point.
b
US
:
to throw (a ball) sharply downward
-
After he scored a touchdown he spiked the ball in the end zone.
4
[+ object]
:
to form (something, such as hair) into spikes or points
-
She spikes her hair.
5
[+ object]
:
to pierce or cut (someone or something) with a sharp point or spike
-
The second baseman was spiked by the runner. [=injured by the spikes on the runner's shoes]
6
[+ object]
:
to prevent (something, such as a story or rumor) from being published or becoming known by many people
-
The newspaper's editors spiked the article.
spike someone's guns
British
:
to ruin an opponent's plans
