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.

---

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

---

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

So with his season on the line on Sunday, McCollum drew up a diagonal full-court sprint that befuddled the Gators’ defense and ended with a wide-open 3-pointer for junior Alvaro Folgueiras.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

That sparked an administrative sprint, with organizers and bureaucrats working overtime to clear the horses in time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Mercedes' George Russell won the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix after a frantic scrap in the early laps with Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

I sprint past bag ten and stumble past bag eleven by accident.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

Related Words

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