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”

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."

Example Sentences

The season started well for Russell, with pole and victory in the opening race in Australia, and again in the sprint a week later in China.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Within days, Zelenskyy extended similar agreements to the UAE and Qatar, sweeping the western shore of the Persian Gulf in a single diplomatic sprint.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

"For decades, sprint coaching has often been based on the belief that all athletes should move in one prescribed way," says Dr. Hicks.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

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

Even though every step hurt, he willed himself into a sprint toward the woods that lined the road.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

Related Words

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