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

Middlesbrough have built a reputation in recent years of providing a springboard for promising youngsters.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

This is a real springboard opportunity for Arthur to further build his career.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

“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

Even “Straight White Men,” which uses the old home-for-the-holidays genre as a springboard, can’t help spinning away from the drama’s droll hyper-naturalism toward something resembling performance art.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026

However, I hit the springboard with so much power that I propelled myself all the way to the back of the mat.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Scott Christensen, lead endurance instructor for USA Track & Field, says while he appreciates the potential performance-enhancing qualities of bouncy foam and carbon springboards, “everything has a cost-benefit ratio to it.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 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

Mexican Chicagoans in the food industry usually acknowledge that Bayless restaurants have served as springboards for a veritable tree of future chef ventures, making him critical for the ecosystem of Midwestern Mexican fine dining.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 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

As they watched, Beverly ran out along the line of springboards; testing each one and selecting the stiffest.

From Masters of Space by Robert Lee Berry