sprint

1 of 2

verb

ˈsprint 

sprinted; sprinting; sprints

intransitive verb

: to run or go at top speed especially for a short distance

sprinter noun

sprint

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or an instance of sprinting

2

a

: dash sense 3b

b

: a burst of speed

Synonyms

Verb

• dash
• gallop
• jog
• run
• scamper
• trip
• trot

Examples of sprint in a Sentence

Verb

The bicycle racers sprinted for the finish line.

he sprinted off to class so as to avoid being late

Noun

He made a sprint for the finish line.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Mu rose from the track, sprinted at a pack of runners that had moved 50 meters ahead and began to grapple with a shocking reality. —Adam Kilgore, Washington Post, 25 June 2024

Thanks to all that extra oomph Audi says the RS Q8 Performance will be able to sprint from zero to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 190 mph. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 25 June 2024

Noun

No male track athlete has ever won that many sprint golds at a Games. —Sean Gregory, TIME, 27 June 2024

The Lyles win makes the American sprint favorites 2-for-2 after three days of these trials. —Eddie Pells, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English (Scots) sprenten to spring, leap, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect sprinta to jump, hop; akin to Old High German sprinzan to jump up

First Known Use

Verb

1847, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sprint

• sprint car
• wind sprint

Kids Definition

sprint

1 of 2 verb

ˈsprint 

: to run at top speed especially for a short distance

sprinter noun

sprint

2 of 2 noun

1

: a short run at top speed

2

: a race over a short distance