Definition of spring
(Entry 1 of 3)
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
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
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
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
6
: the point or plane at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost
spring
verb (2)Definition of spring (Entry 3 of 3)
: to fit with springs
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
The Exceptions Quiz III
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share spring
Time Traveler for spring
The first known use of spring was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century