spring

/spriɳ/
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spring

A coiled metal spring sits on a wooden workbench.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A season: The season between winter and summer, characterized by new growth and warmer weather.
    • A source of water: A place where water flows naturally from the ground.
    • A coil or device: An elastic device, typically a coil of metal, that returns to its original shape after being compressed or stretched.
    • A leap or jump: A sudden, light, upward or forward movement.
    • Elastic quality: The ability of something to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.
  2. Verb:

    • To move suddenly: To jump or move quickly and energetically, often upward or forward.
    • To originate or appear: To come into existence or appear suddenly.
    • To cause to operate: To cause a trap or mechanism to be triggered or released.
    • To develop a leak: To crack or split, causing a leak (e.g., a container or pipe).
    • To provide the means for release: To secure the release of someone from confinement (informal, e.g., from jail).
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • I love the flowers that bloom in the spring.
    • We drank fresh water from the mountain spring.
    • The spring in the mattress is broken.
    • The cat made a quick spring to catch the mouse.
  • Verb:

    • The cat will spring onto the counter when no one is looking.
    • New businesses spring up in the city every year.
    • The trap will spring shut when the animal touches the trigger.
    • The old pipe sprang a leak.
    • His friends pooled their money to spring him from jail.
Advanced Usage
  • "to spring to mind": to be thought of immediately.
    • When I think of a great leader, her name springs to mind.
  • "to spring for something": to pay for something, often as a treat (informal).
    • He sprang for dinner to celebrate.
  • "to spring from": to originate from a source.
    • His kindness springs from a generous heart.
Variants and Related Words
  • Springy (adjective): Elastic or bouncy.
    • The springy floor was perfect for gymnastics.
  • Springboard (noun): A flexible board used for jumping; something that provides an initial impetus.
    • The internship served as a springboard for her career.
  • Offspring (noun): The young of an animal; a person's child or children.
    • The lioness protected her offspring.
Synonyms
  • Noun (season): Springtime.
  • Noun (source): Fountain, wellhead.
  • Verb (jump): Leap, bound, vault.
  • Verb (originate): Arise, emerge, stem.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Spring back: To return quickly to an original shape or position.
    • The branch bent but sprang back when released.
  • Spring on: To present something suddenly or unexpectedly to someone.
    • He sprang the bad news on me just before the meeting.
  • Spring up: To appear or develop quickly.
    • Tents sprang up all over the field for the festival.
Related Idioms
  • "No spring chicken": Not young anymore.
    • He can still run fast, but he's no spring chicken.
  • "Spring into action": To start doing something quickly and energetically.
    • The team sprang into action as soon as the alarm sounded.
  • "Hope springs eternal": People will always continue to hope.
    • Even after many rejections, for writers, hope springs eternal.
spring

A coiled metal spring sits on a wooden workbench.

Noun
  1. a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
  2. the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
  3. a point at which water issues forth
  4. a natural flow of ground water
  5. a metal elastic device that returns to its shape or position when pushed or pulled or pressed
    • the spring was broken
  6. the season of growth
    • the emerging buds were a sure sign of spring
    • he will hold office until the spring of next year
Verb
  1. produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly
    • He sprang these news on me just as I was leaving
  2. develop suddenly
    • The tire sprang a leak
  3. spring back; spring away from an impact
    • The rubber ball bounced
    • These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
  4. develop into a distinctive entity
    • our plans began to take shape
  5. move forward by leaps and bounds
    • The horse bounded across the meadow
    • The child leapt across the puddle
    • Can you jump over the fence?