springboard

[ spring-bawrd, -bohrd ]

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.

verb (used with or without object)

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

springboard

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of springboard¹

First recorded in 1865–70; spring + board

Example Sentences

Adofo said he hoped the events would be a springboard to involve more residents in their community and provide outlets for them to engage in the self-determination championed by King.

From Washington Post

They hope to use that as a springboard to build interest in the commercial product, which should be available some time later this year.

From TechCrunch

Financial Garden also teaches kids how to start their own businesses and be financially sustainable using their talents and passions as a springboard.

From Ozy

He wanted to highlight how we could use the moon as a springboard to expand human civilization into the rest of the solar system.

From MIT Technology Review

Amanda Stone says Olly uses an initial customer purchase as a springboard to pitch additional products to the consumer.

From Digiday

ABC had effectively removed the launching coil on its Modern Family springboard.

From The Daily Beast

Marie Claire editor in chief Anne Fulenwider said she has no comment about Mam using her magazine as a springboard for redemption.

From The Daily Beast

But, like a traditional shaman, Coltrane clearly believed that the drums served as a springboard to a higher order of engagement.

From The Daily Beast

But sometimes heritage is an irrepressibly fascinating springboard for talent.

From The Daily Beast

The D.C. Circuit has been their springboard for rear-guard actions against the administration, and they want to preserve it.

From The Daily Beast

One after the other the boys ran up the springboard until only Jim and the stranger were left.

From Project Gutenberg

A log thrust up suddenly beneath Cottrells feet and threw him into the air as if he had been shot from a springboard.

From Project Gutenberg

I've always had a horror of being married for a living or for a home or as an experiment or a springboard.

From Project Gutenberg

She slid her forefeet a little way down the grassy side and went out over the water as if the bank had been a springboard.

From Project Gutenberg

Early in the performance a series of flying leaps from a springboard, in which all the acrobats took part, was introduced.

From Project Gutenberg