spring

verb (1)

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\ ˈspriŋ

sprang\ ˈspraŋ

\ or sprung\ ˈsprəŋ

\; sprung; springing\ ˈspriŋ-iŋ

Definition of spring

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1a(1) : dart, shoot sparks sprang out from the fire

(2) : to be resilient or elastic also : to move by elastic force the lid sprang shut

b : to become warped

2 : to issue with speed and force or as a stream tears spring from our eyes

3a : to grow as a plant

b : to issue by birth or descent sprang from the upper class

c : to come into being : arise towns sprang up across the plains

d archaic : dawn

e : to begin to blow —used with up a breeze quickly sprang up

4a : to make a leap or series of leaps springing across the lawn

b : to leap or jump up suddenly sprang from their seats

5 : to stretch out in height : rise

6 : pay —used with for I'll spring for the drinks

transitive verb

1 : to cause to spring

2a : to undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of wind sprang the mast

b : to undergo the opening of (a leak)

3a : to cause to operate suddenly spring a trap

b : to apply or insert by bending

c : to bend by force

4 : to leap over

5 : to produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly

6 : to make lame

7 : to release or cause to be released from confinement or custody sprung them from jail

spring

noun, often attributive

Definition of spring (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : a source of supply especially : a source of water issuing from the ground

b : an ultimate source especially of action or motion

2 : spring tide

3 : a time or season of growth or development specifically : the season between winter and summer comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of March, April, and May or as reckoned astronomically extending from the March equinox to the June solstice

4 : an elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being distorted

5a : the act or an instance of leaping up or forward : bound

b(1) : capacity for springing : resilience

(2) : energy, bounce

6 : the point or plane at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost

spring

verb (2)

sprung\ ˈsprəŋ

\; springing\ ˈspriŋ-iŋ

Definition of spring (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to fit with springs

Other Words from spring Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About spring

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Synonyms for spring

Synonyms: Noun

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Verb (1)

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence. spring implies rapid or sudden emerging. an idea that springs to mind arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent. new questions have arisen slowly rose to prominence originate implies a definite source or starting point. the fire originated in the basement derive implies a prior existence in another form. the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception. words flowed easily from her pen issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet. blood issued from the cut emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source. reports emanating from the capital proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause. advice that proceeds from the best of intentions stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development. industries stemming from space research

Examples of spring in a Sentence

Noun We'll plant the seeds next spring. We've had a rainy spring. a beautiful day in early spring The first few weeks of spring were unusually warm. The mattress is old and some of the springs are broken. The cushion has lost its spring.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb That was enough time for Michigan to inbound to Wagner, who again let fly a 3-pointer that clanked off the iron — and finally gave the Bruins freedom to spring from their benches in a wild celebration. — Kristen Davis, cleveland, 31 Mar. 2021 Early on in Old, his latest macabre roller-coaster ride, a trio of children play freeze tag on a beach, ducking and weaving and laughing while one of them stands motionless, waiting to spring back to life. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 July 2021 Vaccines are a powerful ally in the battle against Covid and have enabled businesses to reopen and economic activity to spring to life again. — Hanna Ziady, CNN, 19 July 2021 More than a year later, boom, bust and hope for another boom tell the story of Hollywood today as the neighborhood labors to spring back from the pandemic and its economic fallout. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2021 And with Amazon Prime Day 2021 in the works, there's no better time to spring for a new one. — Erin Parker, Glamour, 20 June 2021 The oversized Wisteria, the bright colours and strong patterns are an ode to spring in the United Kingdom and make the front hall interesting and joyful. — Felicity Carter, Forbes, 14 June 2021 Your choice of noodle, though many choose to spring for rigatoni, as its pasta structure works well when layered in a baking dish. — Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 17 Apr. 2021 Spring is about to spring, so this may be a good time to enjoy the great outdoors. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 3 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun From his downtown Los Angeles studio, Nicholson shares how a rich inner life can inform fall and spring outerwear. — Lindzi Scharf, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2021 The new additions include 30 Day Harvest: Vegetables and Herbs with Atlanta urban farmer Jamila Norman in which viewers will learn how to grow everything from baby kale and spring mix to mint and rosemary in their own backyard. — Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 16 Sep. 2021 Lake Erie trawl net surveys of the spring walleye spawning season. — cleveland, 16 Sep. 2021 Though Blomme was elected to a four-year term in 2020, Evers' office said a new appointee would serve only until July 2022, and would have to run in a spring election to keep the seat. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2021 The spring survey includes undergraduates in college and parents with college students. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 15 Sep. 2021 And two weeks into spring camp ahead of his third year, Steed sustained another injury to the left knee that required surgery and forced him to miss the entire 2019 season. — Khobi Price, sun-sentinel.com, 14 Sep. 2021 In fact, stimulus checks supported bigger-ticket projects and the company saw early demand for popular spring purchases, such as patio items and grills. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2021 Two politicians have formally declared their intentions to seek to become France’s first female president in next year’s spring election. — Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 13 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Early on in Old, his latest macabre roller-coaster ride, a trio of children play freeze tag on a beach, ducking and weaving and laughing while one of them stands motionless, waiting to spring back to life. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 July 2021 Vaccines are a powerful ally in the battle against Covid and have enabled businesses to reopen and economic activity to spring to life again. — Hanna Ziady, CNN, 19 July 2021 More than a year later, boom, bust and hope for another boom tell the story of Hollywood today as the neighborhood labors to spring back from the pandemic and its economic fallout. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2021 And with Amazon Prime Day 2021 in the works, there's no better time to spring for a new one. — Erin Parker, Glamour, 20 June 2021 The oversized Wisteria, the bright colours and strong patterns are an ode to spring in the United Kingdom and make the front hall interesting and joyful. — Felicity Carter, Forbes, 14 June 2021 Spring is about to spring, so this may be a good time to enjoy the great outdoors. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 3 Apr. 2021 This new season brings with it excitement, growth, plenty of beauty, and yes, some anxiety, too — and that mix is not unique to spring. — Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2021 Ten years later, on April 6, 1906, the fire company only had to go next door to spring into action. — Kevin Dayhoff, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 2 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spring.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More About spring

Dictionary Entries Near spring

sprigtailed

spring

springald

Statistics for spring

Last Updated

17 Sep 2021

Cite this Entry

“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spring. Accessed 21 Sep. 2021.

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More Definitions for spring

spring

noun

English Language Learners Definition of spring

: the season between winter and summer : the season when plants and trees begin to grow

: a twisted or coiled piece of metal that returns to its original shape when it is pressed down or stretched

: the ability of something to return to its original shape when it is pressed down, stretched, twisted, etc.

spring

verb

\ ˈspriŋ

sprang\ ˈspraŋ \ or sprung\ ˈsprəŋ \; sprung; springing

Kids Definition of spring

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to move suddenly upward or forward : leap The lion crouched, waiting to spring.

2 : to appear or grow quickly or suddenly Weeds sprang up overnight. Tears sprang from her eyes.

3 : to have (a leak) appear

4 : to move quickly by or as if by stretching and springing back The lid sprang shut.

5 : to cause to operate suddenly He was planning to spring a trap.

6 : to come into being : arise An idea sprang in his mind.

spring

noun

Kids Definition of spring (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the season between winter and summer including in the northern hemisphere usually the months of March, April, and May

2 : a twisted or coiled strip of material (as metal) that recovers its original shape when it is released after being squeezed or stretched

3 : the ability of something to return to its original shape when it is compressed or stretched

4 : a source of supply (as of water coming up from the ground)

5 : the act or an instance of leaping up or forward He … caught sight of the incredible spring of a doe …— Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins the Great

6 : a bouncy or lively quality She had a spring in her step.

spring

noun

\ ˈspriŋ