sprint
SPR-int
/sprɪnt/
A short, fast race or a sudden burst of speed over a short distance.
Implies maximum effort and 100% intensity, unlike a 'run' which can be casual.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Old Norse 'sprenta,' meaning to spring or leap. It entered English to describe the sudden, explosive movement of an animal or person jumping forward.
Word relationships
- dash: A dash is often more informal and implies a sudden, perhaps unplanned, movement.
- crawl: A crawl is the slowest possible movement, often on hands and knees.
Commonly confused with
- jog: A jog is a slow, steady pace for fitness, while a sprint is maximum speed.
Word family
- sprinter (noun): An athlete who specializes in short-distance races.
- sprinting (noun): The act of running at full speed.
Collocations
- final sprint
- sprint finish
- 100-meter sprint
Idioms & expressions
- a marathon, not a sprint
Example sentences
- "The final sprint to the finish line was a blur of motion as three runners crossed almost simultaneously." Describing a race finish
- "He made a sudden sprint for the bus, his coat flapping behind him like a dark wing." Literature
Memory hook
Think of a 'spring'—it's tight, coiled, and then suddenly releases all its energy at once. SPRint = SPRing into action.
When not to use
Avoid using for long-distance efforts unless referring specifically to the final burst at the end.
Fun facts
- Usain Bolt reached a top speed of nearly 28 mph during his world-record sprint.
Related words
Also appears in
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