1. a long wooden shaft with a pointed metal head, used as a weapon by soldiers on horseback
Usage: historical

1. to pierce or cut with a sharp instrument
Usage: medical

Examples

• The medieval knight carried a lance into battle.
• Knights would charge at each other with lances during tournaments.
• The museum displayed an ancient Roman lance.
• The doctor had to lance the infected wound.
• She lanced the boil to drain the pus.
• The surgeon carefully lanced the abscess.