<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>A naillike fastener, 3 to 12 inches long and proportionately thicker than a common nail, for fastening together heavy timbers or railroad track.</li><li>Something resembling such a nail; a stiff, sharp-pointed piece or part.</li><li>A sharp-pointed piece of metal set with the point outward, as on a weapon.</li><li>An abrupt increase or rise.</li><li>A rectangular or naillike metal projection on the heel and sole of a shoe for improving traction.</li><li>The unbranched antler of a young deer.</li><li>Botany: a flower stalk.</li><li>A pointed portion of a continuous curve or graph, usually rising above the adjacent portion.</li><li>Volleyball: a hard smash, hit close to the net, almost straight down into the opponent's court.</li><li>Slang: a hypodermic needle.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>To fasten or secure with a spike or spikes.</li><li>To provide or set with a spike or spikes.</li><li>To pierce with or impale on a spike.</li><li>To set or stud with something suggesting spikes.</li><li>To injure (another player or a competitor) with the spikes of one's shoe, as in baseball.</li><li>Volleyball: to hit (a ball in the air) with a powerful, overarm motion from a position close to the net so as to cause it to travel almost straight down into the court of the opponents.</li><li>Football: to slam (the ball) to the ground in the end zone after scoring a touchdown.</li><li>To render (a muzzle-loading gun) useless by driving a spike into the touchhole.</li><li>To make ineffective; frustrate or thwart: to spike a rumor; to spike someone's chances for promotion.</li><li>Informal: to add alcoholic liquor to (a drink).</li><li>To add (a chemical, poison, or other substance) to.</li><li>Journalism Slang: to refuse (a story) by or as if by placing on a spindle.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>To rise or increase sharply (often followed by up): Interest rates spiked up last week.</li></ul>