spike

Everyday

1. A spike is a thin, sharp point, like on a fence, a cactus or a hedgehog. tree →
2. A spike is a sudden, sharp rise: «a spike in temperature». tree →
3. (verb) To spike means to rise suddenly, or to stick a sharp point into something. tree →
4. (verb, informal) To spike a drink means to secretly put alcohol or a drug in it, which is dangerous and against the law. tree →
5. Spikes are running shoes with short metal points on the bottom for grip. tree →

In the lessons

In science and maths lessons, a spike on a graph is a sudden peak in the line (a spike in heart rate during exercise). In nature lessons cacti and some animals have spikes for protection. In safety lessons older pupils learn never to leave a drink unattended because someone could spike it. In sport, athletes wear spikes on the track. In volleyball, a spike is a hard downward hit.

Examples

• The cactus is covered in sharp spikes. tree →
• The fence had spikes on top to stop people climbing. tree →
• There was a spike in the graph when we started running. tree →
• The temperature spiked in the afternoon. tree →
• Sprinters wear spikes for better grip. tree →
• She jumped and spiked the volleyball over the net. tree →
• Never leave your drink alone, in case someone spikes it. tree →
• The cleric spiked forward his chin, and then butted forward his brow. tree →

Note

Plural «spikes». Past «spiked». Adjective «spiky» (with points) — also used for hair and for a grumpy person. In graphs, a spike goes up and back down quickly; a steady climb is not a spike.