spear

noun (1)

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\ ˈspir

Definition of spear

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : a thrusting or throwing weapon with long shaft and sharp head or blade

2 : a sharp-pointed instrument with barbs used in spearing fish

3 : spearman

spear

verb (1)

speared; spearing; spears

Definition of spear (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to pierce, strike, or take with or as if with a spear spear salmon speared a chop from the platter

2 : to catch (something, such as a baseball) with a sudden thrust of the arm

3a ice hockey : to jab (an opposing player) with the blade of one's stick All game, the Caps held, hooked, slashed, speared, chopped, and bopped … the Rangers' European players.— Stu Hackel

b American football : to ram (an opposing player) with one's helmet … defensive end Ben Davidson set off a sidelines-clearing scrum when he speared Dawson from behind after he was down.— Jim Trotter

intransitive verb

: to thrust at or wound something with or as if with a spear

spear

adjective

Definition of spear (Entry 3 of 5)

: paternal sense 3 the spear side of the family — compare distaff

spear

verb (2)

speared; spearing; spears

Definition of spear (Entry 4 of 5)

intransitive verb

of a plant