spurt

1 of 4

verb (1)

spurted; spurting; spurts
Synonyms of spurtnext

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Keep an eye out for the coton de tulear, which spurted from 92nd in 2024 to 79th last year. Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026 Blood spurts against the window. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Ajogbor had 10 points in the second half and Saint Joseph's used a 12-2 spurt to take a 61-42 lead before cruising to the finish. ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026 When that 1980 statute was enacted, there was a spurt of commercial interest. Coalter G Lathrop, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spurt

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spurt was in 1570

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spurt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spurt. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

spurt

1 of 4 verb
1
: to pour out suddenly : spout
2

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

More from Merriam-Webster on spurt

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