1. (n.)spike a naillike fastener, 3 to 12 in. (7.6 to 30.5 cm) long and proportionately thicker than a common nail, for fastening together heavy timbers or railroad track.
2. spike something resembling such a nail, as a sharp-pointed metal projection on a weapon.
3. spike an abrupt increase or rise: a spike of electrical current.
4. spike one of a number of rectangular or naillike metal projections on the heel and sole of a shoe for improving traction, as of a baseball player or a runner.
5. spike spikes,
6. spike shoes having metal projections on the heel and sole.
2. (noun)spike sports equipment consisting of a sharp point on the sole of a shoe worn by athletes "spikes provide greater traction"
3. (noun)ear, spike, capitulum fruiting spike of a cerealplant especially corn
4. (noun)spike (botany) an indeterminate inflorescencebearing sessile flowers on an unbranched axis
5. (noun)spike a sharprise followed by a sharpdecline "the seismograph showed a sharp spike in response to the temblor"
6. (noun)spike heel, spike, stiletto heel a very highnarrowheel on women's shoes
7. (noun)spike each of the sharp points on the soles of athletic shoes to prevent slipping (or the shoes themselves) "the second baseman sharpened his spikes before every game"; "golfers' spikes damage the putting greens"
8. (noun)spike a sharp-pointed projection along the top of a fence or wall (or a dinosaur)
9. (noun)spike a long, thin sharp-pointed implement (wood or metal) "one of the spikes impaled him"
10. (noun)spike, spindle any holdingdevice consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object "the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order"
11. (verb)spike a largestoutnail "they used spikes to fasten the rails to a railroad tie"