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

My friends and I, we made up games where we would race airplanes on our bikes or we’d sprint down the block extending our arms.

From Los Angeles Times

Dior Johnson, 2, kicked a ball toward another child, who interrupted his sprint across the yard to kick it right back to her.

From Los Angeles Times

He tripped on his laces doing sprints in the gym.

From Literature

He suddenly woke up and against the run of play won three games to give himself a glimmer of hope, before Tien seized back control and sprinted to the finish.

From Barron's

The Polish second seed was in cruise control against the Czech player as the sun went down at John Cain Arena, sprinting to the finish 6-2, 6-3 in front of a vocal group of fans.

From Barron's

Related Words

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