Sword vs. Spear — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 24, 2024
A sword is a bladed weapon designed primarily for slashing and thrusting, while a spear is a pole weapon with a pointed tip primarily used for thrusting and throwing.
Difference Between Sword and Spear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A sword typically consists of a long blade attached to a hilt, making it well-suited for cutting, slashing, and in some designs, thrusting. Whereas, a spear is composed of a shaft, usually made of wood, with a pointed head, often metal, designed primarily for thrusting and sometimes for throwing.
Swords are generally wielded with one or both hands, depending on the design, allowing for a range of motions including slicing and parrying. On the other hand, spears can be used at a longer range, giving the wielder the advantage of keeping opponents at a distance and even the capability to throw the weapon.
In historical contexts, swords have often symbolized personal honor and were commonly used by cavalry and infantry officers. Whereas, spears were used by early warriors and foot soldiers, providing an effective means of formation combat, like in phalanxes or pike squares.
Technically, swords offer a greater degree of control and finesse, enabling complex maneuvers in battle or duels. On the other hand, spears require less metal, making them historically cheaper and more accessible for large armies.
Culturally, swords have a significant place in ceremony and mythology, seen as noble or heroic weapons in many cultures. In contrast, spears are often viewed as more utilitarian, though they also hold symbolic meaning in various traditions, representing hunting prowess or military readiness.
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Comparison Chart
Design
Blade and hilt.
Shaft with pointed head.
Primary Use
Slashing, cutting, thrusting.
Thrusting, throwing.
Handling
One or two-handed grip.
Usually two-handed; throwable.
Historical Usage
Personal combat, duels, ceremonies.
Formation combat, hunting.
Symbolic Meaning
Honor, nobility, heroism.
Utility, readiness, communal defense.
Compare with Definitions
Sword
Ceremonial object in various cultures.
The officer carried a ceremonial sword at the parade.
Spear
Common weapon among ancient infantry.
The soldiers formed a line, spears pointed outward at the approaching cavalry.
Sword
Edged weapon for cutting and thrusting.
The knight unsheathed his sword, ready for battle.
Spear
Long pole weapon with a sharp point.
The warrior thrust his spear against the charging enemy.
Sword
Symbol of authority and knighthood.
The king bestowed a sword upon the knight as a symbol of loyalty.
Spear
Part of traditional rites and games.
The festival included competitions of spear throwing.
Sword
Tool in dueling and personal combat.
They crossed swords in a duel of honor at dawn.
Spear
Used for throwing in hunting and warfare.
He threw the spear with great force, aiming at the distant target.
Sword
Feature in mythological stories.
The hero pulled the magical sword from the stone.
Spear
Symbol of simple but effective armament.
The village guards were each equipped with a sturdy spear.
Sword
A sword is an edged, bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved.
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).
Sword
A handheld weapon consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved, pointed blade having one or two cutting edges and set into a hilt.
Spear
A weapon with a pointed tip, typically of steel, and a long shaft, used for thrusting or throwing.
Sword
An instrument of death or destruction.
Spear
A plant shoot, especially a pointed stem of asparagus or broccoli
Smoked salmon wrapped around asparagus spears
Sword
The use of force, as in war.
Spear
Pierce or strike with a spear or other pointed object
She speared her last chip with her fork
Sword
Military power or jurisdiction.
Spear
A weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharply pointed end.
Sword
(weaponry) A long-bladed weapon device with a grip- a hilt (a pommel and cross guard), which is designed to cut, stab, slash and/or hack.
Spear
A shaft with a sharp point and barbs for spearing fish.
Sword
(tarot) A suit in the minor arcana in tarot.
Spear
A soldier armed with a spear.
Sword
(tarot) A card of this suit.
Spear
A slender stalk, as of asparagus.
Sword
(weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.
Spear
To pierce with a spear or other sharp object.
Sword
(heraldry) The weapon, often used as a heraldic charge.
Spear
To catch with a thrust of the arm
Spear a grounder.
Sword
To stab or cut with a sword
Spear
(Football) To block (an opponent) by ramming with the helmet, in violation of the rules.
Sword
An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.
Spear
(Sports) To jab (an opponent) with the blade of a hockey stick, in violation of the rules.
Sword
Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power.
He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain.
She quits the balance, and resigns the sword.
Spear
To stab at something with a spear or other sharp object.
Sword
Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.
I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Spear
To sprout like a spear.
Sword
The military power of a country.
He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law.
Spear
A long stick with a sharp tip used as a weapon for throwing or thrusting, or anything used to make a thrusting motion.
Sword
One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.
Spear
A soldier armed with such a weapon; a spearman.
Sword
A cutting or thrusting weapon with a long blade
Spear
A lance with barbed prongs, used by fishermen to retrieve fish.
Spear
(ice hockey) An illegal maneuver using the end of a hockey stick to strike into another hockey player.
Spear
(wrestling) In professional wrestling, a running tackle in which the wrestler's shoulder is driven into the opponent's midsection.
Spear
A shoot, as of grass; a spire.
Spear
The feather of a horse.
Spear
The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod.
Spear
A long, thin strip from a vegetable.
Asparagus and broccoli spears
Spear
(botany) The sprout of a plant, stalk
Spear
(obsolete) A church spire.
Spear
(transitive) To pierce with a spear.
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.
Spear
(gridiron football) To tackle an opponent by ramming into them with one's helmet.
Spear
(intransitive) To shoot into a long stem, as some plants do.
Spear
To ignore as a social snub.
Spear
Male.
A spear counterpart
Spear
Pertaining to male family members.
The spear side of the family
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.
Spear
Fig.: A spearman.
Spear
A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for stabbing fish and other animals.
Spear
A shoot, as of grass; a spire.
Spear
The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod.
Spear
To pierce with a spear; to kill with a spear; as, to spear a fish.
Spear
To shoot into a long stem, as some plants. See Spire.
Spear
A long pointed rod used as a weapon
Spear
An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
Spear
Pierce with a spear;
Spear fish
Spear
Thrust up like a spear;
The branch speared up into the air
Common Curiosities
Are swords used in modern warfare?
Swords are largely ceremonial in modern times, with limited practical use in warfare.
How are swords and spears depicted in mythology?
Swords often symbolize heroism and destiny, while spears are associated with hunting prowess and protection.
What is the primary function of a sword?
A sword is primarily used for slashing, cutting, and thrusting in close combat.
Is there a cultural significance to spears in any societies?
Yes, in many cultures, spears symbolize readiness and are used in traditional ceremonies and rites.
What materials are used to make swords and spears?
Swords and spear tips are typically made of metal, while spear shafts are usually wood.
How did the spear contribute to early warfare strategies?
Spears allowed for keeping enemies at bay with long-range thrusts and were essential in formation tactics like the phalanx.
Can a spear be used effectively at close range?
Yes, though primarily a long-range weapon, a spear can be effective at close range, especially using the shaft to block or push.
What types of swords are there?
There are many types, including longswords, katanas, rapiers, and sabres, each designed for specific combat styles.
What is the strategic advantage of a sword in one-on-one combat?
The sword allows for greater versatility and precision in strikes and defenses.
What are common myths involving swords?
Myths often feature swords with magical properties, such as Excalibur in Arthurian legend.
Why might a soldier prefer a spear over a sword?
A spear can be cheaper to produce, easier to use in formations, and effective at a safer distance.
How were spears used in hunting?
Spears were thrown or thrust to bring down large game from a safer distance.
What role do swords play in ceremonies today?
Swords are often part of military and cultural ceremonies, symbolizing honor and tradition.
Can both weapons be thrown?
Spears are designed to be thrown, but swords generally are not intended for throwing.
How does the training differ for using swords versus spears?
Sword training often focuses more on agility and technique, while spear training emphasizes reach and formation use.
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Written by
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.
