spring
17 ENTRIES FOUND:
- spring (noun)
- spring (verb)
- spring–clean (verb)
- spring–loaded (adjective)
- spring break (noun)
- spring chicken (noun)
- spring fever (noun)
- spring onion (noun)
- spring peeper (noun)
- spring roll (noun)
- spring tide (noun)
- spring training (noun)
- box spring (noun)
- hot spring (noun)
- life (noun)
- mind (noun)
- trap (noun)
plural
springs
plural
springs
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPRING
1
:
the season between winter and summer
:
the season when plants and trees begin to grow
— often used before another noun
[count]
-
We'll plant the seeds next spring.
-
We've had a rainy spring.
-
the spring of 1984
[noncount]
-
a beautiful day in early/late spring
-
The first few weeks of spring were unusually warm.
-
our spring catalog
-
a new spring wardrobe
-
spring colors/flowers
2
a
[count]
:
a twisted or coiled piece of metal that returns to its original shape when it is pressed down or stretched
—
see also box spring
-
The mattress is old and some of the springs are broken.
b
[noncount]
:
the ability of something to return to its original shape when it is pressed down, stretched, twisted, etc.
-
The cushion has lost its spring.
3
4
[singular]
:
a lively and energetic quality
-
She had a spring in her step.
5
[singular]
:
a quick sudden leap up or forward
—
see also handspring
-
The deer gave a spring and was gone.
2
spring
/ˈsprɪŋ/
verb
2
spring
/ˈsprɪŋ/
verb
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPRING
1
[no object]
a
:
to move or leap suddenly forward or upward
-
The lion was waiting to spring.
-
The deer sprang up the path.
-
I sprang to my feet.
-
He sprang out of his seat and ran to the door.
b
always followed by an adverb or preposition
:
to move quickly to a different position
-
The lid sprang open/shut.
-
The branch sprang back and hit her.
-
The rope stretches and springs back into shape. [=returns to its original shape]
2
[+ object]
informal
:
to help (someone) to get out of or escape from jail, prison, etc.
-
He tried to spring his accomplice.
-
His lawyer managed to get him sprung from prison.
spring a leak
:
to start to leak
:
to suddenly let water in or out through a crack or break
-
The boat/pipe sprang a leak.
spring a surprise
:
to do, ask, or say something that is not expected
-
Everyone knows she's not likely to spring a surprise.
-
The teacher sprang a surprise on us and gave a quiz.
spring a trap
:
to capture someone or something (such as an animal or criminal) with a trap
— often + on
-
Police sprang a trap on the drug smugglers.
spring for
[phrasal verb]
spring for (something)
US, informal
:
to pay for (something)
:
to spend money on (something)
-
She refuses to spring for a new coat.
-
I'll spring for dinner.
spring from
[phrasal verb]
spring from (something)
informal
:
to start from or be caused by (something)
-
The idea sprang from [=came from] a dream I had.
spring from the loins
spring into/to action/life
:
to become suddenly very active and energetic
-
They sprang into action as soon as they received their orders.
-
The crowd sprang to life after the first goal was scored.
spring on
[phrasal verb]
spring (something) on (someone)
:
to surprise (someone) with (something, such as a request or announcement)
-
You should try to prepare them for your decision instead of just springing it on them suddenly.
spring to mind
spring up
[phrasal verb]
:
to grow or appear suddenly
-
The weeds sprang up overnight.
-
New housing developments are springing up all over the state.
tears spring to your eyes
◊ If tears spring to your eyes, you suddenly start to cry.
-
Tears sprang to his eyes when he read about the accident.
