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

From dropping chart-topping solo singles to racking up awards from around the world, alongside new projects like his own photo book, unexpected duets, and charity donations, V’s military service period still managed to be a springboard for creativity and generosity. —Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

Cuomo’s insistence on Medicaid as a national issue, however, has amplified murmurs that his plan to win the mayoral seat is merely a springboard to the Democratic nomination in the 2028 presidential election. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 3 June 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