sprint

1 of 2

verb

ˈsprint 

sprinted; sprinting; sprints

intransitive verb

: to run or go at top speed especially for a short distance

sprinter noun

sprint

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or an instance of sprinting

2

a

: dash sense 3b

b

: a burst of speed

Synonyms

Verb

• jog
• trot
• run
• race
• gallop
• speed

Examples of sprint in a Sentence

Verb

The bicycle racers sprinted for the finish line.

he sprinted off to class so as to avoid being late

Noun

He made a sprint for the finish line.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Akey, dogged all night by Legend’s pass rushers, used her pure speed to score the game’s first touchdown, sprinting into the end zone from 7 yards out. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025

The sophomore sprinted into the end zone with a three-yard touchdown rush as the second quarter expired, as Dexter Southfield cut its deficit to 14-6 at the break. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025

Noun

Lastly, movement is also reimagined — from high-intensity sprint clinics to high-intensity interval training collaborations, to functional pilates and treks. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

Akey’s second rushing touchdown, a 5-yard sprint just inside the corner of the end zone, put Vista ahead near the end of the second quarter. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English (Scots) sprenten to spring, leap, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect sprinta to jump, hop; akin to Old High German sprinzan to jump up

First Known Use

Verb

1847, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sprint

• sprint car
• wind sprint

Rhymes for sprint

• clint
• dint
• glint
• hint
• lint
• mint
• print
• quint
• quinte
• splint
• squint
• stint

Kids Definition

sprint

1 of 2 verb

ˈsprint 

: to run at top speed especially for a short distance

sprinter noun

sprint

2 of 2 noun

1

: a short run at top speed

2

: a race over a short distance