1. To pierce someone or something with a very sharp, typically elongated object. You'll have to lance through the boil with a needle or something if you want the swelling to go down. The linebacker managed to lance through the offensive line and tackle the quarterback. The fish lanced through the water like a harpoon and leapt high into the air.

2. To spread through someone or something very rapidly and intensely. Sorrow lanced through his heart whenever he remembered the family and friends he'd had to leave behind. Pain lanced through my hand where the bee had stung me.