spurt

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈspərt 

spurted; spurting; spurts

intransitive verb

: to gush forth : spout

Water spurted from the pipe.

transitive verb

: to expel in a stream or jet : squirt

The faucet spurts water.

spurt

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a sudden gush : jet

spurt

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a short period of time : moment

2

a

: a sudden brief burst of effort, activity, or development

a spurt of work

a growth spurt

b

: a sharp or sudden increase in business activity

spurt

4 of 4

verb (2)

spurted; spurting; spurts

intransitive verb

: to make a spurt

Synonyms of spurt

Verb (1)

• pour
• rush
• stream

Noun (2)

• flurry
• burst
• outburst

Examples of spurt in a Sentence

Verb (1)

water spurted from the garden hose just as I was checking the nozzle

the pipe suddenly cracked and began spurting water

Noun (2)

a spurt of economic growth for the first quarter of the year

a sudden spurt of blood rushed out from the opened wound

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The demonstration video posted on X shows a clear liquid spurting all over the ground, which Tesla confirmed was glycol, a type of cooling agent used to cool its Supercharger cables. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2026

However, Ormund is sickened by the blood spurting in his eyes, and Roddy turns the tables, using his remaining hand to stick a knife well into Ormund's backside. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

The highly concentrated Cleaning Solution uses 100% natural ingredients – just two spurts are enough for a top-to-bottom clean. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

In the past, policymakers have been willing to look through inflation spurts from temporary shocks like high energy prices and tariffs. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

perhaps akin to Middle High German spürzen to spit, Old English -sprūtan to sprout — more at sprout

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1570, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1644, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1664, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spurt

• growth spurt

Rhymes for spurt

• blurt
• chert
• curt
• dirt
• flirt
• girt
• hurt
• peart
• pert
• shirt
• skirt
• squirt

Kids Definition

spurt

1 of 4 verb

ˈspərt 

1

: to pour out suddenly : spout

2

: squirt entry 1 sense 1

spurt

2 of 4 noun

: a sudden pouring out : jet

spurt

3 of 4 noun

1

: a short period of time : moment

2

: a brief burst of effort, activity, or development

a spurt of work

a growth spurt

spurt

4 of 4 verb

: to make a spurt