impale

1 of 2

verb

im·​pale im-ˈpāl 

impaled; impaling

transitive verb

1

a

: to pierce with or as if with something pointed

slipped and impaled his leg on the spike

especially : to torture or kill by fixing on a sharp stake

b

: to fix in an inescapable or helpless position

2

: to join (coats of arms) on a heraldic shield divided vertically by a pale

impalement

im-ˈpāl-mənt 

noun

impaler

im-ˈpā-lər 

noun

impalement

2 of 2

noun

im·​pale·​ment -mənt 

plural -s

1

: the act of impaling or the state of being impaled: such as

a(1)

archaic : enclosing, encircling, confining

(2)

: the union of two or more coats of arms side by side on a heraldic shield divided palewise

b

: a piercing or piercing through with a pale, spike, or other pointed thing (as for fixing in a position or by an accidental fall)

c(1)

: a placing or a being placed in an inescapable and awkward position (as of defeat or helplessness)

(2)

: a deflating or a being deflated by telling logic or biting wit

2

: an enclosing fence or palisade

Synonyms of impale

Verb

• stab
• pierce
• puncture
• pick
• stick
• jab

Examples of impale in a Sentence

Verb

impale a marshmallow or two on that stick and let's start toasting

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As safety regulations increased in later decades, the elaborate hood ornament largely disappeared, replaced by badges that were far less romantic but much less likely to impale anyone. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Hickory Hills and Bridgeview area residents stood outside their apartment building Friday looking at the roof blown off and a piece of wood impaling a garage. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

The person was also reportedly impaled by a tree branch, which first responders declined to remove during the transport process. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026

Jerrod's fingers are cut off before he's impaled in front of a crowd, including a distraught Kitana. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French empaler, from Medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- + palus stake — more at pole

Noun

Middle French empalement, from empaler + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for impale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

impale

verb

im·​pale im-ˈpā(ə)l 

impaled; impaling

: to pierce with or as if with something pointed

impalement

-mənt 

noun

impaler

-ər 

noun