springboard

1 of 2

noun

spring·​board ˈspriŋ-ˌbȯrd 

plural springboards

1

: a flexible board usually secured at one end and used for gymnastic stunts or diving

2

: something that helps launch an activity, enterprise, etc.

… hopes motherhood will be the springboard that relaunches her stagnant acting career.

—Roy S. Johnson

… Ueberroth is denying claims that he will use the Games as a springboard to high political office.

—Ray Kennedy

springboard

2 of 2

verb

springboarded; springboarding; springboards

1

intransitive : to launch upward from or as if from a springboard

… cloud-scraping 60-meter punts pulling a half-dozen bodies skyward, each trying to springboard off the small of the other's back …

—Gary Smith

2

transitive + intransitive : to start or help start something (such as an activity or enterprise)

The company has spent heavily to establish a brand name and reputation from scratch, with no brick-and-mortar stores to springboard its efforts.

—Chris O'Malley

Fortunately I got the approval, and that springboarded the work.

—Andrew Grant

Examples of springboard in a Sentence

Noun

The news served as a springboard for a class discussion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lawmakers used the hearing as a springboard to argue for elimination of the federal funding that is funneled through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to local stations and the public media networks. —David Folkenflik, NPR, 3 June 2025

Iran also harbors deeper concerns about Azerbaijan: that in a future conflict over its nuclear program, Baku could serve as a springboard for Israeli military action. —Zaur Shiriyev, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025

Verb

Broadcasting aspirations watch now Curry has used his venture Unanimous Media to springboard a career in front of the camera. —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 2 June 2025

The strongest provide several key features and solutions that can springboard a startup into a thriving, self-sustaining business. —Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for springboard

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword

Kids Definition

springboard

noun

spring·​board ˈspriŋ-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

1

: a flexible board usually fastened at one end and used for jumping high in gymnastics or diving

2

: a point of departure

a springboard to success in business