pike

Everyday

1. A large fish with a long body and sharp teeth that lives in rivers and lakes and eats other fish. tree →
2. A long wooden pole with a sharp metal point, used as a weapon by soldiers long ago. tree →
3. (US, short for turnpike) A main road where you pay a toll. tree →
4. (in diving and gymnastics) A position with legs straight and the body bent at the hips. tree →

In the lessons

In science: the pike is a freshwater predator at the top of the food chain. In history lessons: medieval soldiers (pikemen) carried pikes. In PE: «a pike jump» or «pike position» in gymnastics and diving. Phrases: «a pike jump», «come down the pike» (US: appear, happen).

Examples

• The fisherman caught a huge pike in the lake. tree →
• A pike has very sharp teeth. tree →
• Soldiers long ago fought with pikes. tree →
• In gymnastics, we practised a pike jump. tree →
• Dive in the pike position with straight legs. tree →
• The pike hides in the weeds and waits for small fish. tree →
• A gigantic pike figures also in the Kalevala. tree →

Note

For the fish, the plural is often «pike» (three pike), but «pikes» is also used. Several unrelated meanings share one spelling, so the context tells you which one.