sparked; sparking; sparks
1
a
: to throw out sparks
b
: to flash or fall like sparks
2
: to produce sparks
specifically
: to have the electric ignition working
3
: to respond with enthusiasm
Examples of spark in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
President Kennedy's inspirational speeches sparked a generation of young idealists to enter the public arena
Recent Examples on the Web
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
South Africa has a history of violence sparked by anger over the presence of migrants, including in 2008 when more than 60 people were killed in what international rights groups called xenophobic attacks on foreigners.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has also ousted its popular music director, sparking a crisis among donors, patrons and audiences.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 7 June 2026
The interpretive trail features around 30 jade displays and introduces how the stone formed, how it was sourced, and how early discoveries sparked a brief but notable jade industry in the region.
—Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spark
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Guests milk goats, walk down hydroponic rows, learn how edible flowers act as pollinators in pesticide-free ecosystems, and sit down for farm-to-table meals meant to spark conversation.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
South Africa has a history of violence sparked by anger over the presence of migrants, including in 2008 when more than 60 people were killed in what international rights groups called xenophobic attacks on foreigners.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has also ousted its popular music director, sparking a crisis among donors, patrons and audiences.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 7 June 2026
The interpretive trail features around 30 jade displays and introduces how the stone formed, how it was sourced, and how early discoveries sparked a brief but notable jade industry in the region.
—Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spark
Cite this Entry
“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spark. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spark
1 of 3 noun
1
a
: a small bit of a burning material
b
: a hot glowing bit struck from a mass
2
: a short bright flash of electricity between two points
4
: a small amount that could grow into something larger
still has a spark of decency
spark
2 of 3 verb1
: to give off or cause to give off sparks
2
: to cause to get going
the question sparked quite an argument
sparked the team to victory
Etymology
Noun
Old English spearca "spark"
Verb
from earlier spark (noun) "a foolish young man, boyfriend"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
