The word pike has several meanings:

1. A long spear with a sharp metal point on the end, used by soldiers centuries ago. Before gunpowder became common, armies would form lines of soldiers holding pikes, creating a wall of pointed weapons to defend against cavalry charges. Pike-wielding soldiers called pikemen were crucial in European warfare from the 1300s through the 1600s. The pike was typically 10 to 20 feet long, making it one of the longest handheld weapons ever used in battle.
2. A large, aggressive freshwater fish with a long body and sharp teeth. Pike are fierce predators that hide in weeds and ambush smaller fish. They can grow over four feet long and are popular with people who enjoy fishing because they put up a strong fight when hooked. The northern pike is the most common species in North America and Europe.
3. Short for turnpike, a major highway where drivers pay tolls. You might hear someone say, “Take the pike to get there faster.”