spur

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse
b
spurs plural [from the acquisition of spurs by a person achieving knighthood] : recognition and reward for achievement
won his academic spurs as the holder of a chair in a universityJames Mountford
2
: a goad to action : stimulus
3
: something projecting like or suggesting a spur: such as
a
: a projecting root or branch of a tree, shrub, or vine
b(1)
: a stiff sharp spine (as on the wings or legs of a bird or insect)
especially : one on a cock's leg
(2)
: a gaff for a gamecock
c
: a hollow projecting appendage of a corolla or calyx (as in larkspur or columbine)
d
4
a
: an angular projection, offshoot, or branch extending out beyond or away from a main body or formation
especially : a ridge or lesser elevation that extends laterally from a mountain or mountain range
b
: a railroad track that branches off from a main line
5
: a reinforcing buttress of masonry in a fortification

spur

2 of 2

verb

spurred; spurring

transitive verb

1
: to urge (a horse) on with spurs
2
: to incite to action or accelerated growth or development : stimulate
3
: to put spurs on

intransitive verb

: to spur one's horse on
Phrases
on the spur of the moment
: on impulse : suddenly
Choose the Right Synonym for spur

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action.

motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Examples of spur in a Sentence

Noun the threat of losing its only sports franchise was the spur the city council needed to finally do something about the rising crime rate a weak wall that might need a spur Verb The reward spurred them to work harder. Lower interest rates should spur economic growth. He spurred the horse onward.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
His spur caught on the flag or on the picture wire of a George Washington frame print. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024 The spur for action is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Shields Ready campaign, announced in November 2022 to build on its Shields Up initiative, which was a response to the alarming increase of ransomware and other attacks on critical infrastructure. Brian Contos, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Next, lay the tenderloins horizontally down the middle and add the optional claw to one side, leaving the spur and claw outside the puff pastry, exposed. The Editors, Field & Stream, 6 Mar. 2024 The rodeo alliance disagrees with the claim that animals are being harmed at any local events, saying no local groups use electric prods, sharpened spurs or other equipment or techniques criticized by animal rights groups. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 And as the first two song releases make clear with banjos, stomps and claps, and references to spurs, boots, and long back roads, this is a country record. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024 Last July, Lucy Chadwick, the British director of the contemporary art gallery Champ Lacombe in Biarritz, France, bought a cake on the spur of the moment at a local bakery to accompany the opening of her latest exhibition, a group show about the digital-age baroque. Zoey Poll Katja Mayer, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 This spur trail off the adjacent greenway carries you over some grassy wetlands with regenerating hardwoods and a cattail marsh. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Here, the cliffs were covered in vegetation, with knife-edge spurs and basalt towers that soared into the dark clouds above. Peter Heller, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2024
Verb
Middleton shared a video Friday revealing that she had been diagnosed with cancer, putting an end to rampant gossip and conspiracy theories — spurred by obvious Photoshopping — about her well-being in the face of her public absence. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2024 What Frankie Muniz is doing now That's what spurred him to turn his back on acting and focus on racing. The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024 This second wave of research on the hallucinogenic compounds bolstered political campaigns to decriminalize them and spurred biotech investment. Brendan Borrell, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Its board voted to dissolve in early March, alarming officials and spurring the fundraising push. The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024 The goal was to see if Fox could prove the ad worked based not on the typical promises of Nielsen estimates of how many people saw it, but rather on a guarantee of social-media activity spurred by the unique segment. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 The company pulled back its headcount after a bumper hiring spree during the COVID-19 pandemic, spurred by rising online activity. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 19 Mar. 2024 The pandemic spawned unprecedented labor shortages, forcing employers to beef up pay and benefits, and spurring workers to jump ship. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Ancillary revenue generators helped spur the development of a cottage industry of smaller preservation services. Brent Simon, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spur.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spure, from Old English spura; akin to Old English spurnan to kick — more at spurn entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spur was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near spur

Cite this Entry

“Spur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spur. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spur

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a pointed device fastened to the back of a rider's boot and used to urge a horse on
b
plural : recognition for achievement
2
: something that makes one want to do something : incentive
3
a
: a stiff sharp pointed part (as a horny spine on the leg of a rooster)
b
: a hollow flower part that sticks out especially on a petal (as of a columbine) or on a sepal (as of a larkspur)
4
: a mass of jagged rock coming out from the side of a mountain
5
: a short section of railway track coming away from the main line

spur

2 of 2 verb
spurred; spurring
1
: to urge a horse on with spurs
2
: to move to action : incite, stimulate

Medical Definition

spur

noun
1
: a projection from an anatomical part : calcar
2
: bone spur
painful heel spurs
spurred adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on spur

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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