harpoon

noun

har·​poon här-ˈpün 

: a barbed spear or javelin used especially in hunting large fish or whales

harpoon transitive verb

harpooner noun

Examples of harpoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are cool weapons, like a lethal surface-to-air dragon harpoon. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Additional lines and a harpoon followed before the hunters subdued the gator. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Kitchen utensils hung from a harpoon for catching octopus, and a wicker basket of swim fins sat expectantly by the open door. — Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2026

Giannis off Heat table The harpoon might have been sharpened, and there, at least for a brief period, was a whale to chase. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from Dutch harpoen, from Middle Dutch, from Old French harpon brooch, from harper to grapple

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for harpoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• immune
• impugn
• jejune

Kids Definition

harpoon

1 of 2 noun

har·​poon

här-ˈpün

: a barbed spear used especially in hunting large fish or whales

harpoon

2 of 2 verb

: to strike with a harpoon

harpooner noun

Medical Definition

harpoon

noun

har·​poon här-ˈpün 

: a medical instrument with a barbed head used for removing bits of living tissue for examination