la lanza
spear
Arma larga con un palo y una punta afilada, usada para atacar o defenderse.
Definition & meaning
Lanza has several meanings depending on its grammatical role:
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Noun: “spear” or “lance”
A long weapon with a pointed head, traditionally used for throwing or thrusting. It can also refer to a similar object used in sport, hunting, or heraldry.- El guerrero llevaba una lanza. — “The warrior was carrying a spear.”
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Verb form of lanzar: “he/she/it throws,” “launches,” “releases,” or “publishes”
It is the third-person singular present indicative form of lanzar.- Ella lanza la pelota. — “She throws the ball.”
- La empresa lanza un nuevo producto. — “The company launches a new product.”
- El periódico lanza una acusación. — “The newspaper makes or publishes an accusation.”
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Imperative of lanzar: “throw!” or “launch!”
Lanza can also be the affirmative command addressed to one person informally.- ¡Lanza la pelota! — “Throw the ball!”
Grammar & Word origin
As a noun, lanza is feminine: la lanza. Its plural is lanzas. It comes from the Latin lancea, meaning “lance” or “spear.”
As a verb, lanza comes from lanzar. It can be:
- Third-person singular present indicative: él/ella lanza
- Informal singular affirmative imperative: lanza tú
The verb lanzar is a stem-changing spelling verb: before e, the final z changes to c, as in lancé “I threw,” but before a it remains z, as in lanza.
Synonyms & antonyms
When lanza means “spear”
Possible synonyms include:
- pica — a long pointed weapon, often associated with infantry; it may be longer or used differently from a traditional spear.
- arma — “weapon,” a broader term that includes a spear but is not a direct synonym.
- lanzón — a large or heavy spear-like weapon.
There is no exact antonym for lanza in this sense. A contrasting object could be a escudo , meaning “shield,” because it is defensive rather than offensive.
When lanza means “throws” or “launches”
Depending on the context, synonyms include:
- arroja — “throws” or “hurls,” often suggesting force.
- tira — “throws,” common in everyday speech.
- dispara — “fires” or “shoots,” especially a projectile or weapon.
- emite — “emits” or “broadcasts,” used for signals, sounds, or radiation.
- publica — “publishes,” used for news, statements, or information.
- presenta — “presents” or “introduces,” often used for a new product or project.
Contextual antonyms include:
- retiene — “holds back” or “retains.”
- recoge — “picks up” or “retrieves,” contrasting with throwing something away.
- oculta — “hides,” contrasting with releasing or making information public.
- cancela — “cancels,” contrasting with launching a project or product.
Common phrases & collocations
- lanza una lanza — “throws a spear”
- lanza la pelota — “throws the ball”
- lanza un producto — “launches a product”
- lanza una campaña — “launches a campaign”
- lanza un ataque — “launches an attack”
- lanza una acusación — “makes or levels an accusation”
- a punta de lanza — literally “at spearpoint”; figuratively, “at the forefront” or “as the leading force”
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Examples
La lanza del guerrero brillaba bajo el sol.noun
The warrior's spear shone under the sun.
El soldado lleva una lanza en la mano.noun
The soldier carries a spear in his hand.
Esa lanza es muy antigua y está hecha de hierro.noun
That spear is very old and is made of iron.
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