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

That’s followed by other productive activities: doing push-ups on the balcony, journaling, sprinting on the treadmill, diving into a pool, showering, and eating breakfast. —Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025

Thanks to all that power, the Typhoon could sprint from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 124 mph. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025

Noun

The finish line is in sight, and Alex Ovechkin is in full sprint. —Sean Gentille, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025

Hamilton won the sprint race after taking pole-position in Shanghai, but is already 35 points behind championship leaders Lando Norris. —Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for sprint

• clint
• dint
• glint
• hint
• lint
• mint
• print
• quint
• quinte
• splint
• squint
• stint

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