spur

¹ American  

[spur] / spɜr /

noun

1. a U -shaped device that slips over and straps to the heel of a riding boot and has a blunt or pointed metal part projecting from the back: used by a mounted rider to urge a horse forward by pressing the projection against the horse’s flank.

2. anything that urges or drives someone to act, hurry, etc..

   A passion to win the championship was the spur that galvanized him to train like never before.

   Synonyms:

   instigation, provocation, inducement, incentive, stimulus, incitement, goad

3. Also called climbing spur.  climbing iron.

4. Ornithology. a stiff, usually sharp, horny process on the leg of various birds, especially the domestic rooster, or on the bend of the wing, as in jacanas and screamers.

5. Pathology. bone spur.

6. 1. a sharp piercing or cutting instrument fastened to the leg of a gamecock in cockfighting; gaff.

   2. anything resembling this instrument; a sharp projection or attachment.

7. Physical Geography. a ridge or line of elevation projecting from or subordinate to the main body of a mountain or mountain range.

8. a short or stunted branch or shoot, as of a tree.

9. Typography. a short, seriflike projection from the bottom of the short vertical stroke in the capital G in some fonts.

10. wing dam.

11. Botany.

    1. a slender, usually hollow, projection from some part of a flower, as from the calyx of the larkspur or the corolla of the violet.

    2. Also called spur shoot.  a short shoot bearing flowers, as in fruit trees.

12. Architecture.

    1. a short wooden brace, usually temporary, for strengthening a post or some other part.

    2. any offset from a wall, as a buttress.

    3. griffe.

13. Ceramics. a triangular support of refractory clay for an object being fired.

14. Railroads. spur track.

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verb (used with object)

• spurs,
  present (3rd person singular)
• spurred,
  past participle,  past
• spurring
  present participle

1. to prick or urge with or as if with a spur or spurs; incite or drive (often used withon ).

   The rider spurred his mount into a wild gallop.

   Their encouragement spurred her on to achieve even more.

   Synonyms:

   instigate, induce, inspire, impel, stimulate, provoke, goad

   Antonyms:

   discourage

2. (of a gamecock) to strike or wound with a spur.

3. to furnish with spurs or a spur.

verb (used without object)

• spurs,
  present (3rd person singular)
• spurred,
  past participle,  past
• spurring
  present participle

1. to goad or urge one's horse on with spurs or a spur; ride quickly.

   Horsemen spurred along every road to carry the news over the country.

2. to proceed hurriedly; press forward.

   We spurred onward through the night.

idioms

1. on the spur of the moment, without deliberation; impulsively; suddenly.

   We headed for the beach on the spur of the moment.

2. win one's spurs, to achieve distinction or success for the first time; prove one's ability or worth.

   Our team hasn't won its spurs yet.

spur ² American  

[spur] / spɜr /

noun

Papermaking.

1. a batch of newly made rag-paper sheets.

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spur British  

/ spɜː /

noun

1. a pointed device or sharp spiked wheel fixed to the heel of a rider's boot to enable him to urge his horse on

2. anything serving to urge or encourage

   the increase in salary was a spur to their production

3. a sharp horny projection from the leg just above the claws in male birds, such as the domestic cock

4. a pointed process in any of various animals; calcar

5. a tubular extension at the base of the corolla in flowers such as larkspur

6. a short or stunted branch of a tree

7. a ridge projecting laterally from a mountain or mountain range

8. a wooden prop or a masonry reinforcing pier

9. another name for groyne

10. Also called: spur track.  a railway branch line or siding

11. a short side road leading off a main road

    a motorway spur

12. a sharp cutting instrument attached to the leg of a gamecock

13. on impulse

14. 1. history to earn knighthood

    2. to prove one's ability; gain distinction

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verb

1. (tr) to goad or urge with or as if with spurs

2. (intr) to go or ride quickly; press on

3. (tr) to injure or strike with a spur

4. (tr) to provide with a spur or spurs

spur Scientific  

/ spûr /

1. A small ridge that projects sharply from the side of a larger hill or mountain.

2. A projection from a bone, as on the heel of the foot.

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spur More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing spur

• on the spur of the moment
• win one's spurs

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• spurrer
  noun
• spurless
  adjective
• spurlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• spurring
  present
• spurred
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• spur
  simple
• spurs
  simple
• have spurred
  perfect
• has spurred
  perfect
• am spurring
  progressive
• are spurring
  progressive
• is spurring
  progressive
• have been spurring
  perfect progressive
• has been spurring
  perfect progressive

Past

• spurred
  simple
• had spurred
  perfect
• was spurring
  progressive
• were spurring
  progressive
• had been spurring
  perfect progressive

Future

• will spur
  simple
• will have spurred
  perfect
• will be spurring
  progressive
• will have been spurring
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of spur¹

First recorded before 900; (for the noun) Middle English noun spore, spor(re), Old English spora, spura; cognate with Old High German sporo, Old Norse spori “spur”; verb derivative of the noun; akin to spurn

Origin of spur²

First recorded in 1880–85; origin uncertain

Explanation

To spur something on is to get it going, to encourage it, to hasten it or stimulate. Cowboys wear spiky metal tools called spurs on their boots to kick their horses and spur them to greater speed. Economists talk of lowering interest rates to spur spending. A new source of funding for research will hopefully spur new proposals for research from scientists. An earthquake in China might spur cities in California to a higher standard of earthquake preparedness. You might spur your team on to victory by cheering from the sidelines.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spur spurs spurred spurring

Even Charles's February 2024 announcement that he was receiving treatment for cancer did not spur a reconciliation between Prince William, 44, and his younger sibling Harry, 41.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

The regulation is expected to spur a surge in applications from people whose convictions automatically barred them from owning firearms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Leverkus also organised a structural protection training course for locals to learn how to shield buildings from embers that can quickly spur fires that engulf entire towns.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

While Big Tech companies are driving the S&P 500’s profit growth to an abnormally high level this earnings season, energy companies are helping spur what could be the index’s highest sales growth in years.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 9, 2026

She ignored the sound of her pursuers, shooting down the creek bed and across a spur of ore, then onto the river that led to the railroad.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

That then spurs the next buildup of leverage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

"I think it's what spurs you on really, finding a new species. It's like the icing on the cake, or the cherry on top."

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Christensen hopes artists engaging with the river spurs conversation for more equitable green investments that benefit communities and the environment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Read: Coinbase will lay off 14% of its staff as AI spurs ‘a new way of working’

From MarketWatch ● May 7, 2026

He swerves into the alley, spurs his horse down the cobblestones between two large brick buildings, and turns onto F Street, avoiding the procession.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

The chain had officially entered chicken sandwich territory, and this quickly spurred a massive fight with the OG sandwich maker Chick-fil-A, with the two brands throwing jabs at each other online for weeks.

From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026

In the Sun Belt, relatively looser regulatory requirements spurred more new-home construction, which in turn boosted housing supply.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026

The plant's operator Mala Wangzi currently sells all of that domestically, but latiao have acquired new legions of foreign fans spurred by online enthusiasm for Chinese culture, or "Chinamaxxing".

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

A wildfire in Big Sur has burned 2,000 acres, spurred evacuations that encompass the Nepenthe restaurant and the Alila Ventana resort, and closed state parks in the area.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

At that moment the Wraith-king turned and spurred his horse and rode across the bridge, and all his dark host followed him.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

They include food shortages, water contamination, plumbing stoppages, lost mail, and mental health decay, spurring some crew members to jump ship.

From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026

The company said its “new business model” agreements, which offer improved visibility into customer demand, are spurring confidence in these targets.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

Caterpillar said the artificial intelligence boom continues to drive demand for its engines and generators, while healthy construction spending is spurring sales of its dump trucks, bulldozers and excavators.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

And European authorities are spurring firms to do better.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Magdalys had heard enough; she leaned forward, spurring her mount into a charge.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

Related Words

• arouse
• drive
• propel
• push
• spark
• stimulate
• stir
• trigger