What does pike mean?
Pike most often refers to a large freshwater predator of the pike family, recognized by its elongated body, pointed snout, and formidable teeth. Anglers may use it for the northern pike, while the related term pickerel can be regional or species-specific in North America. Historically, pike also named a long spear or other pointed weapon, giving rise to expressions such as pikeman and turnpike. An archaic sense connected the word with road tolls, especially at turnpike barriers. As a verb, pike is uncommon and means to pierce or impale with such a weapon. Although its history is more varied than the familiar fish sense suggests, pike remains a useful example of how one word can preserve both practical and literary associations.
A large, predatory freshwater fish with a long body and pointed snout; also, historically, a long spear or pointed weapon, and archaically, a road toll.
"The pike was released back into the lake after being weighed."
The fish sense is dominant today; the weapon and toll senses are historical or literary.
To pierce or impale with a pike.
"The soldier pik ed the target from a considerable distance."
This is an uncommon, chiefly historical verb.
The regular plural is used for the fish and, historically, for weapons or tolls.
"Several pikes patrol the deeper parts of the lake."
A pike can strike with astonishing speed, but the word also gave English the turnpike, once a barrier of sharpened arms used to collect tolls.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How pike is actually used
The fish sense is the ordinary modern use in British and American English. The weapon sense is chiefly historical or literary, while the toll sense is archaic; the verb is uncommon.
Easily confused with pike
Pickerel can refer to a young pike or to particular North American members of the pike family, whereas pike commonly refers to the European or northern pike generally.
Pike is a fish or a pointed weapon, while bike is a bicycle or motorcycle.