Dictionary

1spring

verb \ˈspriŋ\
sprang \ˈspraŋ\ or sprung \ˈsprəŋ\ sprungspring·ing \ˈspriŋ-iŋ\

Definition of SPRING

intransitive verb
1
a (1) :  dart, shoot <sparks sprang out from the fire> (2) :  to be resilient or elastic; also :  to move by elastic force <the lid sprang shut>
b :  to become warped
2
:  to issue with speed and force or as a stream <tears spring from our eyes>
3
a :  to grow as a plant
b :  to issue by birth or descent <sprang from the upper class>
c :  to come into being :  arise <towns sprang up across the plains>
d archaic :  dawn
e :  to begin to blow —used with up <a breeze quickly sprang up>
4
a :  to make a leap or series of leaps <springing across the lawn>
b :  to leap or jump up suddenly <sprang from their seats>
5
:  to stretch out in height :  rise
6
:  pay —used with for <I'll spring for the drinks>
transitive verb
1
:  to cause to spring
2
a :  to undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of <wind sprang the mast>
b :  to undergo the opening of (a leak)
3
a :  to cause to operate suddenly <spring a trap>
b :  to apply or insert by bending
c :  to bend by force
4
:  to leap over
5
:  to produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly
6
:  to make lame
7
:  to release or cause to be released from confinement or custody <sprung them from jail>
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of SPRING

Middle English, from Old English springan; akin to Old High German springan to jump and perhaps to Greek sperchesthai to hasten
First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of SPRING

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence. spring implies rapid or sudden emerging <an idea that springs to mind>. arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent <new questions have arisen> <slowly rose to prominence>. originate implies a definite source or starting point <the fire originated in the basement>. derive implies a prior existence in another form <the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast>. flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception <words flowed easily from her pen>. issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet <blood issued from the cut>. emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (as a thought) from a source <reports emanating from the capital>. proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause <advice that proceeds from the best of intentions>. stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development <industries stemming from space research>.

2spring

noun, often attributive

: the season between winter and summer : the season when plants and trees begin to grow

: a twisted or coiled piece of metal that returns to its original shape when it is pressed down or stretched

: the ability of something to return to its original shape when it is pressed down, stretched, twisted, etc.

Full Definition of SPRING

1
a :  a source of supply; especially :  a source of water issuing from the ground
b :  an ultimate source especially of action or motion
3
:  a time or season of growth or development; specifically :  the season between winter and summer comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of March, April, and May or as reckoned astronomically extending from the March equinox to the June solstice
4
:  an elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being distorted
5
a :  the act or an instance of leaping up or forward :  bound
b (1) :  capacity for springing :  resilience
(2) :  energy, bounce
6
:  the point or plane at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost
spring·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

First Known Use of SPRING

before 12th century

Related to SPRING

Other Calendar Terms

antedate, estival, gloaming, luster, sesquicentennial

3spring

transitive verb
sprung \ˈsprəŋ\ spring·ing \ˈspriŋ-iŋ\

Definition of SPRING

:  to fit with springs

First Known Use of SPRING

1884
SPRING Defined for Kids

1spring

verb \ˈspriŋ\
sprang \ˈspraŋ\ or sprung \ˈsprəŋ\sprungspring·ing

Definition of SPRING for Kids

1
:  to move suddenly upward or forward :  leap <The lion crouched, waiting to spring.>
2
:  to appear or grow quickly or suddenly <Weeds sprang up overnight.> <Tears sprang from her eyes.>
3
:  to have (a leak) appear
4
:  to move quickly by or as if by stretching and springing back <The lid sprang shut.>
5
:  to cause to operate suddenly <He was planning to spring a trap.>
6
:  to come into being :  arise <An idea sprang in his mind.>

2spring

noun

Definition of SPRING for Kids

1
:  the season between winter and summer including in the northern hemisphere usually the months of March, April, and May
2
:  a twisted or coiled strip of material (as metal) that recovers its original shape when it is released after being squeezed or stretched
3
:  the ability of something to return to its original shape when it is compressed or stretched
4
:  a source of supply (as of water coming up from the ground)
5
:  the act or an instance of leaping up or forward <He … caught sight of the incredible spring of a doe … — Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins>
6
:  a bouncy or lively quality <She had a spring in her step.>
Medical Dictionary

spring

noun \ˈspriŋ\

Medical Definition of SPRING

:  any of various elastic orthodontic devices used especially to apply constant pressure to misaligned teeth
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears