1
2
: to issue with speed and force or as a stream
tears spring from our eyes
3
4
a
: to make a leap or series of leaps
springing across the lawn
b
: to leap or jump up suddenly
sprang from their seats
5
: to stretch out in height : rise
6
: pay
—used with for
I'll spring for the drinks
1
: to cause to spring
2
a
: to undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of
wind sprang the mast
b
: to undergo the opening of (a leak)
3
a
: to cause to operate suddenly
spring a trap
b
: to apply or insert by bending
c
: to bend by force
4
: to leap over
5
: to produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly
6
: to make lame
7
: to release or cause to be released from confinement or custody
sprung them from jail
often attributive
1
a
: a source of supply
especially
: a source of water issuing from the ground
b
: an ultimate source especially of action or motion
2
3
: a time or season of growth or development
specifically
: the season between winter and summer comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of March, April, and May or as reckoned astronomically extending from the March equinox to the June solstice
4
: an elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being distorted
5
a
: the act or an instance of leaping up or forward : bound
b(1)
: capacity for springing : resilience
6
: the point or plane at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost
Synonyms
Examples of spring in a Sentence
Verb (1)
when it comes to love and romance, hope springs eternally
the cat sprang and pounced on the mouse
had to spend a night in jail until their lawyer could come to spring them
Noun
We'll plant the seeds next spring.
We've had a rainy spring.
a beautiful day in early spring
The first few weeks of spring were unusually warm.
The mattress is old and some of the springs are broken.
The cushion has lost its spring.
Recent Examples on the Web
Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Add in your favorite new mystery novel, a wool blanket and some Earl Gray to really round out the wintry vibes and stay cozy until spring has sprung.
—Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024
Samantha Conti, WWD, 27 Nov. 2024
The plan was put forward by Kellogg and Fred Fleitz last spring.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spring 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Be willing to spring out of a crouch and slam a blocking sled, or at least go on a sales call.
—Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Add in your favorite new mystery novel, a wool blanket and some Earl Gray to really round out the wintry vibes and stay cozy until spring has sprung.
—Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
His first Joseph collection will be for spring 2026, which is set to land in stores late next year.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 27 Nov. 2024
The plan was put forward by Kellogg and Fred Fleitz last spring.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spring
Dictionary Entries Near spring
Cite this Entry
“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spring. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spring
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to appear or grow quickly
the weeds sprang up overnight
b
: to come from by birth or descent
sprang from an immigrant family
c
: to come into being : arise
towns sprang up across the plains
2
: to move suddenly forward or upward : leap
a lion crouched and waiting to spring
sprang up the path
sprang to my feet
3
: to have (a leak) appear
4
a
: to move by elastic force
the lid sprang shut
b
: to become warped or bent
the door has sprung
5
a
: to cause to operate suddenly
spring a trap
b
: to produce suddenly
sprung a surprise on us
6
: pay entry 1 sense 1
—usually used with for
spring for a new pair of shoes
7
: to release or cause to be released from confinement (as jail)
spring
2 of 2 noun1
: a source of supply
especially
: a source of water coming up from the ground
2
a
: the season between winter and summer including in the northern hemisphere usually the months of March, April, and May
b
: a time or season of growth or development
3
: an elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being squeezed or stretched
4
a
: the act or an instance of leaping up or forward
b
: elastic power or force
the spring in your step
Medical Definition
spring
noun
: any of various elastic orthodontic devices used especially to apply constant pressure to misaligned teeth
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