springboard

American  

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

noun

springboards plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• springboards
  plural

Etymology

Origin of springboard

First recorded in 1865–70; spring + board

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

springboard springboards

“These wars served as springboard for the United States to engage in widespread global diplomatic endeavors and allowed them to become a stronger nation as a whole.”

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

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

There’s two Loyola High athletes, sprinter Zion Phelps and 400 runner Ejam Yohannes, who hope to use Arcadia as a springboard to continue their early success this season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2026

“Your oral presentations will be our springboard, our springboard toward discovery and greater understanding.”

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner

Royal hunts served to exercise a kingdom’s military and occasionally as springboards to war.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

Some who appear on shows such as Love Island - including influencers Molly-Mae Hague and Maura Higgins - use their time in the villa as springboards to far greater success.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2025

Gingrich said he hopes the documents “will inspire future generations not only as historical records, but also as springboards for active participation in our democracy and for embarking on their own intellectual pursuits and citizenship.”

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 5, 2024

The same year, Bauer and her colleagues demonstrated how two unrelated species in Borneo and the Seychelles evolved lids that, when triggered by rain droplets, act as springboards which catapult insects into their pitchers.

From National Geographic ● Feb. 5, 2024

Two men on their springboards, six feet above the ground, plying an eight-foot saw.

From Burned Bridges by Sinclair, Bertrand W.