spar

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈspär 

1

: a stout pole

2

a

: a stout rounded usually wood or metal piece (such as a mast, boom, gaff, or yard) used to support rigging

b

: any of the main longitudinal members of the wing of an airplane that carry the ribs

spar

2 of 5

verb

sparred; sparring

intransitive verb

1

a

: box entry 3

especially : to gesture without landing a blow to draw one's opponent or create an opening

b

: to engage in a practice or exhibition bout of boxing

2

: skirmish, wrangle

3

: to strike or fight with feet or spurs in the manner of a gamecock

spar

3 of 5

noun (2)

1

: a movement of offense or defense in boxing

2

: a sparring match or session

spar

4 of 5

noun (3)

: any of various nonmetallic usually cleavable and lustrous minerals

SPAR

5 of 5

noun (4)

ˈspär 

: a member of the women's reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard

Examples of spar in a Sentence

Verb

He's been sparring with his trainer.

They sparred playfully over whose team was better.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And all eyes are on D.C., where a vaccine health policy spar is underway. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025

Because every exchange risks devolving into an ideological spar, partners may feel less inclined to share the personal thoughts and feelings that contribute so greatly to intimacy. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Verb

The late Charlie Kirk spent much of his time as CEO of Turning Point USA not in a corner office but on college campuses, sparring with students in open debates. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025

West Park City Commissioner Katrina Touchstone sparred with Tony over several complaints, including why the cost of BSO’s services has increased over the last few years. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025

Noun

Rudy and Leo spar back and forth about who’s not treated equally under the law — Rudy proposes victims of domestic violence; Leo shoots that down — and when the dust settles? —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025

As America and China spar over the ports that sit on both sides of the Panama Canal, the waterway’s operator wants to enter the ports business on its own. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English sparre; akin to Old English spere spear — more at spear

Verb

Middle English sparren to dart, spring

Noun (3)

Low German; akin to Old English spærstān gypsum, spæren of plaster

Noun (4)

Semper Paratus, motto of the U.S. Coast Guard, from New Latin, always ready

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1581, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spar

• Iceland spar
• spar varnish

Rhymes for spar

• ar
• are
• bar
• barr
• car
• carr
• char
• charr
• czar
• far
• farre
• haar

Kids Definition

spar

1 of 2 noun

ˈspär 

1

: a stout pole

2

: a long rounded usually wood or metal piece (as a mast, boom, or yard) to which a sail is fastened

spar

2 of 2 verb

sparred; sparring

1

: to box or make boxing movements with the fists for practice or in fun

2

: skirmish entry 2 sense 1

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sparre "a stout pole, a pole used to support a sail on a ship"

Verb

Middle English sparren "to dart, spring"