1
a
: a small particle of a burning substance thrown out by a body in combustion or remaining when combustion is nearly completed
b
: a hot glowing particle struck from a larger mass
especially
: one heated by friction
2
a
: a luminous disruptive electrical discharge of very short duration between two conductors separated by a gas (such as air)
b
: the discharge in a spark plug
c
: the mechanism controlling the discharge in a spark plug
4
: something that sets off a sudden force
provided the spark that helped the team to rally
5
: a latent particle capable of growth or developing : germ
still retains a spark of decency
6
sparks plural in form but singular in construction
: a radio operator on a ship
sparked; sparking; sparks
1
a
: to throw out sparks
b
: to flash or fall like sparks
2
: to produce sparks
specifically
: to have the electric ignition working
3
: to respond with enthusiasm
Synonyms
Examples of spark in a Sentence
Noun (1)
not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs
Verb (1)
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
President Kennedy's inspirational speeches sparked a generation of young idealists to enter the public arena
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Longeretta, Variety, 13 May 2024
Washington added another putback to finish with 11 in the opening quarter and earned praise from his teammates for providing that early spark while the offense settled in.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2024
Contestants will couple up and test a potential spark through compatibility challenges, which grant the winners an opportunity to bring in new singles to shake up the competition.
—Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
Extensive evidence that implementing digital measurement of PA into care workflows improves their patients’ health could be the spark that many need to begin doing this.
—Laurie Whitsel, STAT, 6 May 2024
While sparks immediately fly, Solène is at first wary of starting anything with a much younger guy whom paparazzi and screaming fans constantly follow around.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 3 May 2024
With the Tattooist of Auschwitz, an instant and sustained spark between the Lali and Gita characters was crucial.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 May 2024
Jade Cargill and her husband, former Cincinnati Reds star Brandon Phillips, had an instant spark.
—Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Secure dragging trailer chains to avoid creating sparks.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
TIME, 14 May 2024
His Duke University address sparks student walkout.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
For some finance leaders, a pilgrimage to hear the Oracle of Omaha alongside tens of thousands of investors can spark inspiration and boost motivation.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 14 May 2024
In 2020, a Buzzfeed News report sparked an internal investigation into allegations of a toxic workplace environment on the talk show's set.
—Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 13 May 2024
In all, 45 Americans were taken hostage in the Oct. 7 offensive that sparked the war in Gaza.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 13 May 2024
The president’s announcement sparked mixed reactions from lawmakers, with progressives hailing it as a policy win, while Republicans have condemned the move as one that would bolster Hamas, according to Politico.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 May 2024
Killing plants and animals, of course, is not a goal for solar developers, but the collateral damage has sparked bitter debate over where panels and lines belong.
—Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
The weekend attack sparked widespread fears of a sharp escalation of conflict, as regional tensions have heightened amid Israel’s war in Gaza.
—Koh Ewe, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Noun
When a popular cooking show comes to town, things get more complicated as sparks begin to fly and secrets are uncovered.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 13 May 2024
Washington added another putback to finish with 11 in the opening quarter and earned praise from his teammates for providing that early spark while the offense settled in.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2024
Contestants will couple up and test a potential spark through compatibility challenges, which grant the winners an opportunity to bring in new singles to shake up the competition.
—Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
Extensive evidence that implementing digital measurement of PA into care workflows improves their patients’ health could be the spark that many need to begin doing this.
—Laurie Whitsel, STAT, 6 May 2024
While sparks immediately fly, Solène is at first wary of starting anything with a much younger guy whom paparazzi and screaming fans constantly follow around.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 3 May 2024
With the Tattooist of Auschwitz, an instant and sustained spark between the Lali and Gita characters was crucial.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 May 2024
Jade Cargill and her husband, former Cincinnati Reds star Brandon Phillips, had an instant spark.
—Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Secure dragging trailer chains to avoid creating sparks.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
Verb
By May 14, 2024 8:11 AM EDT TBILISI, Georgia — The Georgian parliament on Tuesday approved in the third and final reading a divisive bill that sparked weeks of mass protests.
—TIME, 14 May 2024
His Duke University address sparks student walkout.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
For some finance leaders, a pilgrimage to hear the Oracle of Omaha alongside tens of thousands of investors can spark inspiration and boost motivation.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 14 May 2024
In 2020, a Buzzfeed News report sparked an internal investigation into allegations of a toxic workplace environment on the talk show's set.
—Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 13 May 2024
In all, 45 Americans were taken hostage in the Oct. 7 offensive that sparked the war in Gaza.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 13 May 2024
The president’s announcement sparked mixed reactions from lawmakers, with progressives hailing it as a policy win, while Republicans have condemned the move as one that would bolster Hamas, according to Politico.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 May 2024
Killing plants and animals, of course, is not a goal for solar developers, but the collateral damage has sparked bitter debate over where panels and lines belong.
—Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
The weekend attack sparked widespread fears of a sharp escalation of conflict, as regional tensions have heightened amid Israel’s war in Gaza.
—Koh Ewe, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spark
Cite this Entry
“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spark. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spark
1 of 3 noun1
a
: a small bit of a burning material
b
: a hot glowing bit struck from a mass
2
: a short bright flash of electricity between two points
4
: a small amount that could grow into something larger
still has a spark of decency
spark
2 of 3 verb1
: to give off or cause to give off sparks
2
: to cause to get going
the question sparked quite an argument
sparked the team to victory
Etymology
Noun
Old English spearca "spark"
Verb
from earlier spark (noun) "a foolish young man, boyfriend"
Biographical Definition
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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