sprint
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a short race at full speed.
-
a burst of speed at any point during a long race, as near the finish line.
-
a brief spell of great activity.
-
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.
noun
-
athletics a short race run at top speed, such as the 100 metres
-
a fast finishing speed at the end of a longer race, as in running or cycling, etc
-
any quick run
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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”
Explanation
When you run really fast, you sprint. You and your sister might sprint to the bus stop, racing to see who can get there first. In the sport of track and field, a sprint is a short race that's run at top speed the whole way. Two professional cyclists also sprint when they race on bikes that start out side-by-side. If you notice a swarm of angry wasps heading your direction, you can sprint indoors, hoping you move faster than they do. Sprint has a Scandinavian root, possibly the Old Norse word spretta, "to jump up."
Vocabulary lists containing sprint
"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocabulary from the Poem “Touchscreen” by Marshall Davis Jones
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lehr recently made a 24-hour due-diligence sprint to San Francisco and back to meet a founder before offering a term sheet.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
Harris prefers the longer of the two sprint races.
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026
The title battle between Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli boiled over for the first time as the Englishman won a gripping sprint race at the Canadian Grand Prix.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
EPA chief Lee Zeldin said the actions put the brake on a "rushed, frantic, reckless sprint" by previous administrations to phase out HFCs.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
The way a good sprint turns your breath to a low whistle, the way it spring-loads your knees: that was my drink.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
