impale

verb

im·​pale im-ˈpāl How to pronounce impale (audio)
impaled; impaling

transitive verb

1
a
: to pierce with or as if with something pointed
especially : to torture or kill by fixing on a sharp stake
b
: to fix in an inescapable or helpless position
2
: to join (coats of arms) on a heraldic shield divided vertically by a pale
impalement noun
impaler noun

Examples of impale in a Sentence

impale a marshmallow or two on that stick and let's start toasting
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Sunday, June 8, the 40-year-old man was rappelling in the Three Falls area near Alpine when he was impaled by a stick, according to a Facebook post from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025 Tiffany falls from her balcony and is fatally impaled by the staircase baluster, and Nancy is hit in the head with a trophy by Lori. Jane Lacroix, People.com, 24 May 2025 Earlier this month, an American tourist had to undergo emergency surgery after he was impaled on a spire after trying to climb over a fence surrounding the ancient Roman colosseum. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 23 May 2025 An american tourist climbed over the fence at the Colosseum and impaled himself on a spike. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for impale

Word History

Etymology

Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French empaler, from Medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- + palus stake — more at pole

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of impale was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impale. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

impale

verb
im·​pale im-ˈpā(ə)l How to pronounce impale (audio)
impaled; impaling
: to pierce with or as if with something pointed
impalement noun
impaler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impale

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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