harpoon

[US]/hɑː'puːn/
[UK]/hɑr'pun/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

vt. to catch or spear with a harpoon
n. a spear-like weapon used for hunting or fishing
Word Forms
Past Participleharpooned
Pluralharpoons
Present Participleharpooning
Past Tenseharpooned
Third Person Singularharpoons

Phrases & Collocations

whaling harpoon

throw the harpoon

harpoon gun

Example Sentences

The harpoon struck but did not embed.

The harpoon drove deep into the body of the whale.

A post on a whaleboat used to secure the harpoon rope.

fishgig A spear with barbed prongs used for harpooning fish.

Harpoons and other fishing tackle appear at 18,000 years ago, as do bone spear throwers, or atlatls.

The whalers used a harpoon to catch the whale.

The harpoon pierced through the thick skin of the seal.

He aimed the harpoon at the target with precision.

The harpoon gun was loaded and ready to fire.

The fisherman harpooned a large tuna for dinner.

She felt a sense of excitement as she harpooned her first fish.

The harpoon rope snapped as the whale thrashed in the water.

The indigenous people relied on harpoons for hunting in the past.

The harpoon is a traditional tool used by many coastal communities.

She studied the technique of harpooning in order to join the whaling crew.

Real-world Examples

A few decades ago, we were harpooning these whales nearly to extinction.

Source: TED Talks (Video Version) Bilingual Selection

Now the bad time is coming and I do not even have the harpoon.

Source: The Old Man and the Sea

Let me guess, the harpoon killed him.

Source: English little tyrant

Your partner knows all about antique harpoons.

Source: English little tyrant

The harpoon dropped from his hand.

Source: Moby-Dick

Most species have tentacles covered in cells called cnidocytes, which contain venomous harpoons coiled and ready to launch.

Source: Bilingual Edition of TED-Ed Selected Speeches

Ned Land was content to sharpen his harpoon, a dreadful weapon in his hands.

Source: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Original Version)

Another boat attacks and harpoons the whale once more.

Source: Human Planet

However, the notebooks get hit by a harpoon, sending the pages flying everywhere.

Source: Three-Minute Book Report

As the whale fights to break free, they move to harpoon it again.

Source: Human Planet

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