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

The issue is reshaping the governor’s race, as Republican Joe Lombardo and Democrat Aaron Ford spar over development, tax breaks and safeguards for electricity bills and water supplies. — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Unlike most teen girls, she and her dad spar in the boxing ring. — Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2026

Verb

That reflects a broader national consensus — even amid a rancorous election campaign in which politicians are sparring over other issues — over the need for Chinese investment. — Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

The haziness surrounding press strategy comes as the White House continues to spar with the media, threatening legal action against Politico over its reporting on chief of staff Susie Wiles. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026

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"