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

Wisconsin was one of the surprise teams in college hockey a season ago, sprinting to the top ranking in the national polls at one point and making the NCAA tournament in head coach Mike Hastings’ first season in Madison. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025

Key Warriors have maintained belief in the current roster, knowing the team that sprinted out of the gates is in there somewhere. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025

Noun

The title track sets up the underground vibe as Twigs blends her falsetto with a trilling beat that slowly builds and builds before breaking into a sprint. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025

According to official Bundesliga data, Dortmund players have made only the ninth-most sprints (4,126) in the league this season, the 14th-most intensive runs (12,768) and covered the 14th-highest distance. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 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

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