Sword vs. Lance — What's the Difference?

A sword is an edged, bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved.

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 handheld weapon consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved, pointed blade having one or two cutting edges and set into a hilt.

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

An instrument of death or destruction.

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

The use of force, as in war.

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

Military power or jurisdiction.

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

(weaponry) A long-bladed weapon device with a grip- a hilt (a pommel and cross guard), which is designed to cut, stab, slash and/or hack.

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

(tarot) A suit in the minor arcana in tarot.

A similar implement for spearing fish.

(tarot) A card of this suit.

A cavalry lancer.

(weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.

(Medicine) See lancet.

(heraldry) The weapon, often used as a heraldic charge.

To pierce with a lance.

To stab or cut with a sword

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

An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.

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

Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power.

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

Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.

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

The military power of a country.

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

One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.

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

A cutting or thrusting weapon with a long blade

(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;