# harpoon

> English word · Noun · IPA /hɑːɹˈpuːn/ · frequency rank #35,748

## Definitions
1. A spearlike weapon with a barbed head used in hunting whales and large fish.
2. A sharp tip within a disposable syringe, used to penetrate the stopper.
3. A harmonica.

## Etymology
From Old French harpon, from Latin harpaga, a rare variant of Latin harpagō, from Ancient Greek ἁρπάγη (harpágē, “hook”), from ἁρπάζω (harpázō, “to snatch away, to carry off, to seize, to captivate”). Sense and spelling perhaps influenced by Dutch harpoen (“harpoon”). Doublet of harpagon.

## Easily confused with
- **Harwood** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/harpoon-vs-harwood)
- **Harmon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/harmon-vs-harpoon)
- **Hampton** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hampton-vs-harpoon)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ahrpoon`, `haproon`, `haropon`, `harpon`, `harpono`, `harpoonn`, `harppoon`, `harrpoon`, `hharpoon`, `hrapoon`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/harpoon