spur

1 of 2

noun

ˈspər 

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 university

—James 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

: bone spur

e

: climbing iron

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

Synonyms

Noun

• boost
• encouragement
• goad
• impetus
• impulse
• incentive
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation
• momentum
• motivation
• provocation
• stimulant
• stimulus
• yeast

Verb

• dig
• goad
• prod

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

Driving the news: Trains began running again on the Union Square spur and between North Station and Medford/Tufts around 10:30am Thursday after a 40-hour stoppage. —Mike Deehan, Axios, 3 Oct. 2024

An impulse buy is something purchased in the spur of the moment, a spontaneous, unplanned departure from your shopping list. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2024

Verb

Harris is seeing a thriving ecosystem develop in Dubai around superyachts and the yachting community, which has in turn spurred development of affiliated businesses and spinoffs. —Dubai Tourism Contributor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

That regulatory hesitance has spurred a boom in e-wallets and digital banks across the Asia-Pacific region, as companies target unbanked and underbanked populations in developing markets. —Chris Morris, Fortune Asia, 5 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing spur

• bone spur
• spur gear
• spur-of-the-moment

Kids Definition

spur

1 of 2 noun

ˈspər 

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

ˈspər 

1

: a projection from an anatomical part : calcar

2

: bone spur

painful heel spurs

spurred

ˈspərd 

adjective