Harpoon vs. Lance — What's the Difference?

A harpoon is a long spear-like instrument and tool used in fishing, whaling, sealing, and other marine hunting to catch large fish or marine mammals such as whales. It accomplishes this task by impaling the target animal and securing it with barb or toggling claws, allowing the fishermen to use a rope or chain attached to the projectile to catch the animal.

A lance is a pole weapon designed to be used by a mounted warrior or cavalry soldier (lancer). During the periods of classical and medieval warfare, it evolved into being the leading weapon in cavalry charges, and was unsuited for throwing or for repeated thrusting, unlike similar weapons of the javelin and pike family typically used by infantry.

A barbed spear attached to a rope and thrown or fired from a gun, used especially in whaling.

A long weapon with a wooden shaft and a pointed steel head, formerly used by a horseman in charging

To strike, kill, or capture with or as if with a harpoon.

A metal pipe supplying a jet of oxygen to a furnace or to make a very hot flame for cutting.

A spearlike weapon with a barbed head used in hunting whales and large fish.

A rigid tube at the end of a hose for pumping or spraying liquid.

(slang) A harmonica.

Prick or cut open (an abscess or boil) with a lancet or other sharp instrument

(transitive) To shoot something with a harpoon.

A thrusting weapon with a long wooden shaft and a sharp metal head.

A spear or javelin used to strike and kill large fish, as whales; a harping iron. It consists of a long shank, with a broad, flat, triangular head, sharpened at both edges, and is thrown by hand, or discharged from a gun.

A similar implement for spearing fish.

To strike, catch, or kill with a harpoon.

A cavalry lancer.

A spear with a shaft and barbed point for throwing; used for catching large fish or whales; a strong line is attached to it

(Medicine) See lancet.

Spear with a harpoon;

To pierce with a lance.

(Medicine) To make a surgical incision in; cut into

A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and a steel blade or head; a spear carried by horsemen.

A wooden spear, sometimes hollow, used in jousting or tilting, designed to shatter on impact with the opposing knight’s armour.

(fishing) A spear or harpoon used by whalers and fishermen.

(military) A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer.

(military) An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of ordnance and forces it home.

(metallurgy) A small iron rod which suspends the core of the mold in casting a shell.

(pyrotechnics) One of the small paper cases filled with combustible composition, which mark the outlines of a figure.

(medicine) A lancet.

To pierce with a lance, or with any similar weapon.

To open with a lancet; to pierce.

To throw in the manner of a lance; to lanch.

A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and a steel blade or head; a spear carried by horsemen, and often decorated with a small flag; also, a spear or harpoon used by whalers and fishermen.

A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer.

A small iron rod which suspends the core of the mold in casting a shell.

An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of ordnance and forces it home.

One of the small paper cases filled with combustible composition, which mark the outlines of a figure.

A lancet.

To pierce with a lance, or with any similar weapon.

To open with a lancet; to pierce; as, to lance a vein or an abscess.

To throw in the manner of a lance. See Lanch.

A long pointed rod used as a weapon

An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish

A surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions

Move quickly, as if by cutting one's way;

Pierce with a lance, as in a knights' fight

Open by piercing with a lancet;