1 [+ obj] a : to add alcohol or drugs to (food or drink)
▪ Someone spiked the punch at the party. — often + with ▪ They spiked the punch with tequila. ▪ The brownies were spiked with marijuana.
b : to add something that gives flavor or interest to (something) — usually + with ▪ She spiked the sauce with vinegar. ▪ Her writing is spiked with sarcasm. 2 [no obj] chiefly US : to increase greatly in a short period of time
▪ The medication caused his blood pressure to spike. ▪ Oil and gas prices have spiked (upward) again. 3 [+ obj] sports a : to hit (a volleyball) sharply downward towards the ground
▪ She spiked the ball and scored the winning point.
b US : to throw (a ball) sharply downward
▪ After he scored a touchdown he spiked the ball in the end zone. 4 [+ obj] : to form (something, such as hair) into spikes or points
▪ She spikes her hair. 5 [+ obj] : to pierce or cut (someone or something) with a sharp point or spike
▪ The second baseman was spiked by the runner. [=injured by the spikes on the runner's shoes] 6 [+ obj] : to prevent (something, such as a story or rumor) from being published or becoming known by many people
▪ The newspaper's editors spiked the article.