sprint

American  

[sprint] / sprɪnt /

verb (used without object)

1. to race or move at full speed, especially for a short distance, as in running, rowing, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to traverse at full speed.

   to sprint a half mile.

noun

1. a short race at full speed.

2. a burst of speed at any point during a long race, as near the finish line.

3. a brief spell of great activity.

4. a short work cycle of fixed length during which specific goals, tasks, etc., need to be completed by a team: often used in agile development.

sprint British  

/ sprɪnt /

noun

1. athletics a short race run at top speed, such as the 100 metres

2. a fast finishing speed at the end of a longer race, as in running or cycling, etc

3. any quick run

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verb

1. to go at top speed, as in running, cycling, etc

Other Word Forms

• outsprint verb (used with object)
• sprinter noun

Etymology

Origin of sprint

First recorded in 1560–70; perhaps continuing Old English sprintan (unrecorded; compare gesprintan “to emit”); cognate with Old Norse spretta, Old High German sprinzan “to jump up”

Example Sentences

It was the Kings’ most one-sided loss in more than a month, not exactly the way it wanted to start its final sprint to the postseason.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

But Lloyd was about to sprint in the other direction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The AI sprint is hurtling toward a world where anyone can build personal concierges to do everything from executive presentations to March Madness brackets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

Chessum's score came as no surprise to Tigers' coach Geoff Parling, who revealed that the 25-year-old's top sprint speed has been clocked at 9.3 metres per second.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

“And you’ll still sprint in from center when I go out to the mound.”

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

Related Words

• dart
• dash
• rush
• scamper
• scoot
• scurry