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

Verb

Fortunately for viewers, Vanderpump’s hauteur didn’t stop her from sparring with her fellow-castmates, who, in the manner of the popular Bravo franchise, were rich middle-aged ladies with a distinct taste for drama. —Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 13 July 2024

Former President Donald Trump attempted to blunt President Joe Biden invoking the former president’s conviction in New York as the two sparred in their Thursday presidential debate. —Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 June 2024

Doocy, who covered President Biden’s campaign in 2020 and continued in the White House, has long been something of a thorn in the side of Biden’s press team, occasionally sparring during briefings with press secretary Karine jean-Pierre, and before that Jen Psaki. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 June 2024

Understanding why this charade exists requires turning the clock back to 2009, when a Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was sparring with Democratic legislative leaders over a budget that was hammered by the Great Recession and had been tied up in partisan wrangling for months. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 14 June 2024

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

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"