sprint

1 of 2

verb

ˈsprint 

sprinted; sprinting; sprints

intransitive verb

: to run or go at top speed especially for a short distance

sprinter noun

sprint

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or an instance of sprinting

2

a

: dash sense 3b

b

: a burst of speed

Synonyms of sprint

Verb

• jog
• trot
• run
• race
• gallop
• speed

Examples of sprint in a Sentence

Verb

The bicycle racers sprinted for the finish line.

he sprinted off to class so as to avoid being late

Noun

He made a sprint for the finish line.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Fatal Influence sprinted out to a lead by isolating their opponents and thrashing them on the outside. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Each time assistant coach Pablo de la Torre, the fitness specialist, blew his whistle, the players had to sprint to the far end of the pitch and back again before the rondos resumed. — James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Noun

Cornucopian euthanized Cornucopian, the 6-5 favorite who suffered a catastrophic right front fetlock injury while moving forward in the Grade I six-furlong Bing Crosby sprint Saturday, was euthanized Sunday morning. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026

Though his lead was briefly cut to seven points by Jasper Philipsen after stage 18, Pedersen’s intermediate sprint wins over the next three days secured his green jersey. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English (Scots) sprenten to spring, leap, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect sprinta to jump, hop; akin to Old High German sprinzan to jump up

First Known Use

Verb

1847, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sprint

• sprint car
• wind sprint

Rhymes for sprint

• clint
• dint
• glint
• hint
• lint
• mint
• print
• quint
• quinte
• splint
• squint
• stint

Kids Definition

sprint

1 of 2 verb

ˈsprint 

: to run at top speed especially for a short distance

sprinter noun

sprint

2 of 2 noun

1

: a short run at top speed

2

: a race over a short distance