spring
verb (used without object)
to rise, leap, move, or act suddenly and swiftly, as by a sudden dart or thrust forward or outward, or being suddenly released from a coiled or constrained position.
were springing
-
past progressiveof spring.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
"This absolutely kicked into high gear from 2016 - football pitches were springing up everywhere," says Dr Mike Gow - an expert in contemporary China at Edge Hill University.
From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2025
To meet some of the demand, thousands of low-rise “dingbat” apartments with parking underneath were springing up in L.A.’s established neighborhoods, offering more affordable rents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2022
Deaths from COVID-19 in January 2021 were at record highs when the mask order was put forth, averaging more than 3,000 a day, and new variants were springing up.
From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2022
Companies like Knix, which sell soft cup bras exclusively, were springing up, while other brands began ditching wires and leaning hard into bralettes, which typically offer coverage but no support.
From New York Times ● Mar. 18, 2021
Goyle bellowed and put his hands to his nose, where great ugly boils were springing up — Hermione, whimpering in panic, was clutching her mouth.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
