harpoon

1 of 2

noun (1)

har·​poon här-ˈpün 

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

harpoon transitive verb

harpooner noun

harpooner

2 of 2

noun (2)

har·​poon·​er

-nə(r)

variants or less commonly harpooneer

¦här(ˌ)pü¦ni(ə)r

plural -s

: one that throws or fires a harpoon : boatsteerer

Examples of harpoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

First, the men are menaced by an enormous, enraged sperm whale (terrifying, even as on some level the reader can’t help rooting for it against the harpoons), which rams and ultimately sinks their boat. —Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026

There are several different types, including scissors-style and harpoon style. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 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

Scientists have confirmed the observation by examining proteins in the eye lenses of the whales and dating harpoons embedded in the flesh of these animals. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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