springboard

American  

[spring-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈsprɪŋˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

1. a flexible board, projecting over water, from which divers leap or spring.

2. a flexible board used as a takeoff in vaulting, tumbling, etc., to increase the height of leaps.

3. something that supplies the impetus or conditions for a beginning, change, or progress; a point of departure.

   a lecture to serve as a springboard for a series of seminars.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to impel or launch on or as if on a springboard.

springboard British  

/ ˈsprɪŋˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a flexible board, usually projecting low over the water, used for diving

2. a similar board used for gaining height or momentum in gymnastics

3. a board inserted into the trunk of a tree at some height above the ground on which a lumberjack stands to chop down the tree

4. anything that serves as a point of departure or initiation

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Etymology

Origin of springboard

First recorded in 1865–70; spring + board

Example Sentences

He helped organize the Fox gig and both men genuinely believe that this could be a springboard into Hollywood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

For players like Oliver Tarvet, who met Alcaraz in the Wimbledon second round last year after receiving a qualifying wildcard, it can be a valuable springboard.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

CoreWeave is closely tied to Microsoft, OpenAI and a smattering of other large players, while Nebius seems to view deals with the big players as a springboard to reach a much wider set of customers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

May 7 Though plenty of comics view crowd work as just another part of the job, comedian Nate Jackson has made it the springboard to a career.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

“What your wife is doing is neither good nor bad. Saints can spring from any soil. Maybe with this money she would do some fine thing. There’s no springboard to philanthropy like a bad conscience.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck