springboard

1 of 2

noun

spring·​board ˈspriŋ-ˌbȯrd 

plural springboards

1

: a flexible board usually secured at one end and used for gymnastic stunts or diving

2

: something that helps launch an activity, enterprise, etc.

… hopes motherhood will be the springboard that relaunches her stagnant acting career.

—Roy S. Johnson

… Ueberroth is denying claims that he will use the Games as a springboard to high political office.

—Ray Kennedy

springboard

2 of 2

verb

springboarded; springboarding; springboards

1

intransitive : to launch upward from or as if from a springboard

… cloud-scraping 60-meter punts pulling a half-dozen bodies skyward, each trying to springboard off the small of the other's back …

—Gary Smith

2

transitive + intransitive : to start or help start something (such as an activity or enterprise)

The company has spent heavily to establish a brand name and reputation from scratch, with no brick-and-mortar stores to springboard its efforts.

—Chris O'Malley

Fortunately I got the approval, and that springboarded the work.

—Andrew Grant

Examples of springboard in a Sentence

Noun

The news served as a springboard for a class discussion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meanwhile, Petersen is looking to use his win over Mayes as springboard into his next fight. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Israel's short-range Iron Dome system, the most well-known of the world's air defense systems, is designed to intercept the kind of attacks common on Israel, but countries like the U.S. are using the Iron Dome as a springboard for figuring out how best to shield home soil. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

Verb

Our choice clearly isn't the best starting point from which to springboard a camper company specializing in affordable, inconspicuous caravans. —New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2025

In addition to signing big-name veterans, the GFL is seemingly looking to balance things out with a few young prospects who could springboard to stardom within the organization. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for springboard

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword

Kids Definition

springboard

noun

spring·​board ˈspriŋ-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

1

: a flexible board usually fastened at one end and used for jumping high in gymnastics or diving

2

: a point of departure

a springboard to success in business