polearm

Polearm refers to a broad class of long-handled melee weapons that feature a head mounted on the end of a shaft, typically wood with a metal fitting. The shaft is longer than that of most handheld swords, providing reach, leverage, and the ability to strike from a safer distance. Heads vary widely and may be designed for thrusting, cutting, hooking, or a combination of functions.

Common types include thrusting spears such as the spear and pike; cutting or versatile polearms such as the halberd, glaive, and bardiche; and spear-like weapons with hooks or tines such as the ranseur and partisan. Regional forms include the Japanese naginata and the Chinese qiang (spear). The specific form of a polearm often reflects its tactical purpose in a given era, from battlefield formations to close-quarters defense.

Polearms played a central role in many fighting systems from antiquity through the early modern period. Long pikes supported infantry phalanxes and shield walls; halberds combined spear thrusting with axe-like chopping to counter armor and cavalry. As firearms became dominant, the military utility of many polearms declined, though they continued in ceremonial use, policing, and certain martial arts traditions.

In contemporary contexts, polearms are preserved in historical European martial arts and Asian traditions, studied by martial artists and reenactors. They are also used in sport and performance, with standardized forms, practice weapons, and protective equipment to reduce risk.