Pike vs. Spear — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
A "Pike" is both a long weapon used by infantry and a type of freshwater fish, while a "Spear" is a weapon with a pointed head designed for thrusting or throwing.
Difference Between Pike and Spear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Pike" in the context of weaponry typically refers to a long pole weapon used historically by infantry. Often several feet in length, pikes were designed for thrusting and were particularly effective against cavalry. On the other hand, a "Spear" is also a long weapon, usually wielded by an individual, designed primarily for thrusting or throwing. Spears have been used in hunting and warfare for millennia.
When considering aquatic life, the term "Pike" shifts meanings to describe a type of predatory freshwater fish. No such aquatic association exists with the term "Spear." Rather, in this context, the act of spearing refers to the use of the spear as a tool to catch fish or other aquatic animals.
In terms of historical military formations, "Pike" units, or pikemen, were often arranged in dense formations, creating an intimidating forest of sharp points to deter opposing forces, especially mounted troops. On the other hand, "Spear" users were more flexible, being employed in various ways, from frontline combatants to skirmishers who threw their spears.
From a materials and design perspective, a "Pike" is usually made of a wooden shaft with a metal point. Its length gave it reach and leverage in battle. The "Spear" too consists of a shaft with a pointed head, but it's generally shorter than a pike and more versatile, suitable for both close combat and ranged attacks.
Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Historically, for warfare by infantry
For hunting and warfare
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Length
Typically longer
Shorter, more versatile
Alternative Meaning
A type of freshwater fish
To catch fish or animals using a pointed instrument
Design
Long wooden shaft with metal point
Shaft with a pointed head, suitable for throwing
Usage in Formations
Used in dense formations
Used in various formations, including as skirmishers
Compare with Definitions
Pike
A long weapon used historically by infantry.
The pike was the preferred weapon of many medieval foot soldiers.
Spear
A weapon with a pointed head for thrusting or throwing.
He trained daily with his spear.
Pike
A turnpike or highway.
The toll on the pike has increased.
Spear
The act of piercing or stabbing with a pointed object.
He managed a successful spear of the fish.
Pike
A pointed extremity.
The tent was held up with a pike at each corner.
Spear
A long, slender piece of something.
A spear of asparagus was on her plate.
Pike
A hill or mountain peak.
The hikers trekked to the top of the pike.
Spear
A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with fire hardened spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as bone, flint, obsidian, iron, steel, or bronze (or other type of stone or metal).
Pike
A long spear formerly used by infantry.
Spear
A weapon with a pointed tip, typically of steel, and a long shaft, used for thrusting or throwing.
Pike
A freshwater game and food fish (Esox lucius) of the Northern Hemisphere that has a long snout and attains a length of over 1.2 meters (4 feet). Also called northern pike.
Spear
A plant shoot, especially a pointed stem of asparagus or broccoli
Smoked salmon wrapped around asparagus spears
Pike
Any of various fishes closely related to this fish, such as the muskellunge or the pickerels.
Spear
Pierce or strike with a spear or other pointed object
She speared her last chip with her fork
Pike
Any of various fishes that resemble this fish.
Spear
A weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharply pointed end.
Pike
A turnpike.
Spear
A shaft with a sharp point and barbs for spearing fish.
Pike
A tollgate on a turnpike.
Spear
A soldier armed with a spear.
Pike
A toll paid.
Spear
A slender stalk, as of asparagus.
Pike
A hill with a pointed summit.
Spear
To pierce with a spear or other sharp object.
Pike
A spike or sharp point, as on the tip of a spear.
Spear
To catch with a thrust of the arm
Spear a grounder.
Pike
A mid-air position in sports such as diving and gymnastics in which the athlete bends to touch the feet or grab the calves or back of the thighs while keeping the legs together and straight.
Spear
(Football) To block (an opponent) by ramming with the helmet, in violation of the rules.
Pike
To attack or pierce with a pike.
Spear
(Sports) To jab (an opponent) with the blade of a hockey stick, in violation of the rules.
Pike
To move quickly.
Spear
To stab at something with a spear or other sharp object.
Pike
A very long spear used two-handed by infantry soldiers for thrusting (not throwing), both for attacks on enemy foot soldiers and as a countermeasure against cavalry assaults.
Spear
To sprout like a spear.
Pike
A sharp, pointed staff or implement.
Spear
A long stick with a sharp tip used as a weapon for throwing or thrusting, or anything used to make a thrusting motion.
Pike
A large dry]] before adding to a haystack.
Spear
A soldier armed with such a weapon; a spearman.
Pike
Any carnivorous freshwater fish of the genus Esox, especially the northern pike, Esox lucius.
Spear
A lance with barbed prongs, used by fishermen to retrieve fish.
Pike
A position with the knees straight and a tight bend at the hips with the torso folded over the legs, usually part of a jack-knife.
Spear
(ice hockey) An illegal maneuver using the end of a hockey stick to strike into another hockey player.
Pike
A pointy extrusion at the toe of a shoe.
Spear
(wrestling) In professional wrestling, a running tackle in which the wrestler's shoulder is driven into the opponent's midsection.
Pike
Especially in place names: a hill or mountain, particularly one with a sharp peak or summit.
Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England.
Spear
A shoot, as of grass; a spire.
Pike
(obsolete) A pick, a pickaxe.
Spear
The feather of a horse.
Pike
A hayfork.
Spear
The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod.
Pike
A penis.
Spear
A long, thin strip from a vegetable.
Asparagus and broccoli spears
Pike
(historical) A style of shoes with long toes, very popular in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Spear
(botany) The sprout of a plant, stalk
Pike
A gypsy, itinerant tramp, or traveller from any ethnic background; a pikey.
Spear
(obsolete) A church spire.
Pike
(transitive) To prod, attack, or injure someone with a pike.
Spear
(transitive) To pierce with a spear.
Pike
To assume a pike position.
Spear
To penetrate or strike with, or as if with, any long narrow object; to make a thrusting motion that catches an object on the tip of a long device.
Pike
To bet or gamble with only small amounts of money.
Spear
(gridiron football) To tackle an opponent by ramming into them with one's helmet.
Pike
Often followed by on or out: to quit or back out of a promise.
Don’t pike on me like you did last time!
Spear
(intransitive) To shoot into a long stem, as some plants do.
Pike
(intransitive) To equip with a turnpike.
Spear
To ignore as a social snub.
Pike
To depart or travel (as if by a turnpike), especially to flee, to run away.
Spear
Male.
A spear counterpart
Pike
A foot soldier's weapon, consisting of a long wooden shaft or staff, with a pointed steel head. It is now superseded by the bayonet.
Spear
Pertaining to male family members.
The spear side of the family
Pike
A pointed head or spike; esp., one in the center of a shield or target.
Spear
A long, pointed weapon, used in war and hunting, by thrusting or throwing; a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head or blade; a lance.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.
Pike
A hayfork.
Spear
Fig.: A spearman.
Pike
A pick.
Spear
A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for stabbing fish and other animals.
Pike
A pointed or peaked hill.
Spear
A shoot, as of grass; a spire.
Pike
A large haycock.
Spear
The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod.
Pike
A turnpike; a toll bar.
Spear
To pierce with a spear; to kill with a spear; as, to spear a fish.
Pike
A large fresh-water fish (Esox lucius), found in Europe and America, highly valued as a food fish; - called also pickerel, gedd, luce, and jack.
Spear
To shoot into a long stem, as some plants. See Spire.
Pike
A broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
Spear
A long pointed rod used as a weapon
Pike
Highly valued northern freshwater fish with lean flesh
Spear
An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
Pike
A sharp point (as on the end of a spear)
Spear
Pierce with a spear;
Spear fish
Pike
Medieval weapon consisting of a spearhead attached to a long pole or pikestaff; superseded by the bayonet
Spear
Thrust up like a spear;
The branch speared up into the air
Pike
Any of several elongate long-snouted freshwater game and food fishes widely distributed in cooler parts of the northern hemisphere
Spear
A person or thing that pierces or strikes.
The linebacker was a spear on the field.
Pike
A type of predatory freshwater fish.
He caught a large pike during his fishing trip.
Spear
A shoot, as of grass or grain.
Green spears of wheat emerged from the soil.
Common Curiosities
Were "Pikes" effective against cavalry?
Yes, pikes were historically used to counter cavalry charges due to their length.
Can "Spear" also mean the act of catching fish?
Yes, to "spear" can mean to catch fish using a pointed instrument.
Are "Pikes" still used in modern warfare?
No, pikes are now obsolete in modern warfare but have historical significance.
Is a "Spear" typically shorter than a "Pike"?
Yes, spears are generally shorter and more versatile than pikes.
Is the "Pike" fish related to the weapon in terms of naming?
The names are the same, but there's no direct relation between the fish and the weapon.
Were spears primarily used for warfare?
Spears were used both for hunting and warfare throughout history.
Can "Pike" refer to both a weapon and a fish?
Yes, "Pike" can denote both a type of weapon and a freshwater fish.
Which weapon is more versatile, the "Pike" or the "Spear"?
The "Spear" is typically more versatile, suitable for both close combat and ranged attacks.
How is a "Pike" different from a lance?
A "Pike" is infantry-used and longer, while a lance is typically shorter and cavalry-used.
Can you throw a "Pike" like a "Spear"?
Pikes, due to their length and weight, were not typically thrown like spears.
Do any sports involve the use of "Spears"?
Yes, javelin throw in athletics involves throwing a spear-like instrument.
Did ancient cultures use both "Pikes" and "Spears"?
Yes, various ancient cultures employed both weapons, depending on the situation and tactics.
Is a "Pike" fish edible?
Yes, pike fish are edible and are often caught for food in various regions.
Which is older in terms of usage, the "Pike" or the "Spear"?
The "Spear" is older and has been used since prehistoric times for hunting and warfare.
Are there cultural or ritualistic uses for "Spears"?
Yes, many cultures have used spears not only as weapons but also in ceremonies and rites.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
