WordGarden.iospike
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /spˈaɪk/
US
- /ˈspaɪk/
Meanings
Noun
a sudden sharp increase in something such as price, cases, or traffic
a long sharp point or pointed piece, especially one made of metal
a forceful downward hit, especially in volleyball
Verb
to rise sharply and suddenly
to secretly add alcohol or drugs to a drink or food in order to impair or harm someone
to reject or suppress something from publication or broadcast, especially a story
Beyond the definition
A spike can be a sudden, sharp jump, like a rise in gas prices after a hurricane. It can also mean something pointed, such as a long metal piece driven into wood or sharp points used for grip or protection. On a graph, it often looks like a line that shoots up very quickly.
Sometimes "spike" is used as a verb. A fever might spike overnight, meaning it rises suddenly. A volleyball player can also spike the ball, hitting it down hard. The word often suggests something sharp, sudden, or forceful.
The word "spike" has several related meanings, and they all suggest something sharp or sudden. In its most basic sense, it can mean a long, pointed piece of metal, such as a railroad spike or the metal points on some sports shoes. It can also refer more generally to any sharp point that sticks out and is used for grip, support, or protection.
It is also commonly used for a sudden, steep increase. People talk about a spike in prices, crime, web traffic, or temperature when something goes up quickly over a short time. This use fits the image of a graph line rising in a narrow, sharp shape.
As a verb, "to spike" can mean to rise sharply or to make something rise sharply, as when a fever spikes or bad news spikes fear. In sports, it can mean hitting or throwing something down with force, especially in volleyball or American football. In another common meaning, to spike a drink means to add alcohol or drugs to it without someone expecting it.
Historically, the word referred to a large nail, and that older sense still helps explain the newer ones. Whether it describes a pointed object, a sudden jump, or a hard downward hit, "spike" usually carries the idea of something narrow, strong, and intense.
Examples
- 1
Gate safety
Be careful near the gate; the top is covered in metal spikes.
- 2
Energy prices
Electricity prices spiked during the heat wave.
- 3
Online orders
There was a spike in online orders after the ad aired.
- Patternthere was a spike in + amount/activity
there was a sudden sharp increase in it
- 4
Physical reaction
Her heart rate spiked when the doctor said her name.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Drink tampering
The bartender was fired for trying to spike a customer's drink.
- Patternspike someone's drink
secretly add alcohol or drugs to it
- 6
Flavoring
The sauce is spiked with fresh ginger and lime.
- Patternspiked with + strong ingredient
given a small amount of it
- 7
Volleyball
He slammed the ball over the net for a clean spike.
- Domain
in volleyball, a spike is a hard downward hit over the net
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- spikenounverb
Forms
- spikespluralnounverb
- spikedpast tenseverbnoun
- spiking-ing formverbnoun