Spring Definition and Meaning
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on June 16, 2025
Spring is a season following winter and preceding summer, characterized by warmer weather, blooming plants, and often rain. e.g., The garden looks most beautiful in the spring when the flowers bloom.
Table of Contents
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Spring Definitions
The season between winter and summer when temperatures rise and plants begin to flower.
Birds start nesting during spring as the weather warms up.
A resilient device, typically a helical metal coil, that can be compressed or stretched and then returns to its original shape.
The mechanic replaced the worn-out springs in the car's suspension system.
To move suddenly and rapidly in a particular direction.
The cat will often spring into the air when startled.
To release or set free suddenly.
The trap was designed to spring shut when activated.
To become distorted or bent after being compressed or stretched.
The door hinge has begun to spring and needs replacement.
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To grow or develop rapidly.
The small startup company has sprung into a major player in the industry.
To move upward or forward in a single quick motion or a series of such motions; leap
The goat sprang over the log.
To move suddenly, especially because of being resilient or moved by a spring
I let the branch spring forward. The door sprang shut.
To start doing something suddenly
The firefighters sprang into action.
To appear or come into being quickly
New businesses are springing up rapidly.
To issue or emerge suddenly
A cry sprang from her lips. A thought springs to mind.
To arise from a source; develop
Their frustration springs from a misunderstanding.
(intransitive) To burst forth.
(of liquids) To gush, to flow suddenly and violently.
The boat sprang a leak and began to sink.
To gush, to flow out of the ground.
(of light) To appear, to dawn.
(of plants) To sprout, to grow,
(now chiefly botanical) To grow taller or longer.
To rise from cover.
(of landscape) To come dramatically into view.
(figurative) to arise, to come into existence.
Hope springs eternal.
He hit the gas and the car sprang to life.
To move with great speed and energy; to leap, to jump; to dart, to sprint; of people: to rise rapidly from a seat, bed, etc.
Deer spring with their hind legs, using their front hooves to steady themselves.
He sprang to his feet.
A bow, when bent, springs back by its elastic power.
Don't worry. She'll spring back to her cheerful old self in no time.
It was the first thing that sprang to mind.
She sprang to her husband's defense and clocked the protestor.
(usually with from) To be born, descend, or originate from
He sprang from peasant stock.
To descend or originate from.
The Stoics sprang from the Cynics.
(obsolete) To rise in social position or military rank, to be promoted.
To become known, to spread.
To emit, to spread.
To grow.
(transitive) To cause to burst forth.
To cause to well up or flow out of the ground.
To bring forth.
To cause to become known, to tell of.
To cause to move energetically; (equestrianism) to cause to gallop, to spur.
To cause to rise from cover.
His dogs sprang the grouse and partridges and flushed the woodcock.
To shift quickly from one designated position to another.
To breed with, to impregnate.
(of mechanisms) To cause to work or open by sudden application of pressure.
He sprang the trap.
To make wet, to moisten.
To rise suddenly, (of tears) to well up.
The documentary made tears spring to their eyes.
To burst into pieces, to explode, to shatter.
To go off.
To cause to explode, to set off, to detonate.
To crack.
To have something crack.
To cause to crack.
To surprise by sudden or deft action.
To come upon and flush out
To catch in an illegal act or compromising position.
(obsolete) To begin something.
(obsolete) To produce, provide, or place an item unexpectedly.
To put bad money into circulation.
To tell, to share.
(of news, surprises) To announce unexpectedly, to reveal.
Sorry to spring it on you like this but I've been offered another job.
To free from imprisonment, especially by facilitating an illegal escape.
His lieutenants hired a team of miners to help spring him.
To be free of imprisonment, especially by illegal escape.
To build, to form the initial curve of.
They sprung an arch over the lintel.
To extend, to curve.
The arches spring from the front posts.
To turn a vessel using a spring attached to its anchor cable.
To raise a vessel's sheer.
To raise a last's toe.
(transitive) To pay or spend a certain sum, to cough up.
To raise an offered price.
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To act as a spring: to strongly rebound.
To equip with springs, especially to equip with a suspension.
To provide spring or elasticity
To inspire, to motivate.
(ambitransitive) To deform owing to excessive pressure, to become warped; to intentionally deform in order to position and then straighten in place.
A piece of timber sometimes springs in seasoning.
He sprang in the slat.
To reach maturity, to be fully grown.
To swell with milk or pregnancy.
To sound, to play.
(intransitive) To spend the springtime somewhere
(of animals) to find or get enough food during springtime.
(countable) An act of springing: a leap, a jump.
(countable) The season of the year in temperate regions in which plants spring from the ground and into bloom and dormant animals spring to life.
Spring is the time of the year most species reproduce.
You can visit me in the spring, when the weather is bearable.
(astronomy) The period from the moment of vernal equinox (around March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere) to the moment of the summer solstice (around June 21); the equivalent periods reckoned in other cultures and calendars.
Spring Festival" throughout East Asia because it is reckoned as the beginning of their spring.
(meteorology) The three months of March, April, and May in the Northern Hemisphere and September, October, and November in the Southern Hemisphere.
I spent my spring holidays in Morocco.
The spring issue will be out next week.
The time of something's growth; the early stages of some process.
A period of political liberalization and democratization
Arab Spring
Someone with ivory or peach skin tone and eyes and hair that are not extremely dark, seen as best suited to certain colors of clothing.
(countable) Something which springs, springs forth, springs up, or springs back, particularly
(geology) A spray or body of water springing from the ground.
This beer was brewed with pure spring water.
The rising of the sea at high tide.
(oceanography) nodot=a, the especially high tide shortly after full and new moons.
Neap tide
A mechanical device made of flexible or coiled material that exerts force and attempts to spring back when bent, compressed, or stretched.
We jumped so hard the bed springs broke.
(nautical) A line from a vessel's end or side to its anchor cable used to diminish or control its movement.
(nautical) A line laid out from a vessel's end to the opposite end of an adjacent vessel or mooring to diminish or control its movement.
You should put a couple of springs onto the jetty to stop the boat moving so much.
(figurative) A race, a lineage.
(figurative) A youth.
A shoot, a young tree.
A grove of trees; a forest.
An erection of the penis. en
A crack which has sprung up in a mast, spar, or (rare) a plank or seam.
(uncountable) Springiness: an attribute or quality of springing, springing up, or springing back, particularly
Elasticity: the property of a body springing back to its original form after compression, stretching, etc.
The spring of a bow
Elastic energy, power, or force.
(countable) The source from which an action or supply of something springs.
(countable) Something which causes others or another to spring forth or spring into action, particularly
A cause, a motive, etc.
(obsolete) A lively piece of music.
To leap; to bound; to jump.
The mountain stag that springsFrom height to height, and bounds along the plains.
To issue with speed and violence; to move with activity; to dart; to shoot.
And sudden lightSprung through the vaulted roof.
To start or rise suddenly, as from a covert.
Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring.
To fly back; as, a bow, when bent, springs back by its elastic power.
To bend from a straight direction or plane surface; to become warped; as, a piece of timber, or a plank, sometimes springs in seasoning.
To shoot up, out, or forth; to come to the light; to begin to appear; to emerge; as a plant from its seed, as streams from their source, and the like; - often followed by up, forth, or out.
Till well nigh the day began to spring.
To satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth.
Do not blast my springing hopes.
O, spring to light; auspicious Babe, be born.
To issue or proceed, as from a parent or ancestor; to result, as from a cause, motive, reason, or principle.
[They found] new hope to springOut of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked.
To grow; to thrive; to prosper.
What makes all this, but Jupiter the king,At whose command we perish, and we spring?
To cause to spring up; to start or rouse, as game; to cause to rise from the earth, or from a covert; as, to spring a pheasant.
To produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly; as, to spring a surprise on someone; to spring a joke.
She starts, and leaves her bed, and springs a light.
The friends to the cause sprang a new project.
To cause to explode; as, to spring a mine.
To crack or split; to bend or strain so as to weaken; as, to spring a mast or a yard.
To cause to close suddenly, as the parts of a trap operated by a spring; as, to spring a trap.
To bend by force, as something stiff or strong; to force or put by bending, as a beam into its sockets, and allowing it to straighten when in place; - often with in, out, etc.; as, to spring in a slat or a bar.
To pass over by leaping; as, to spring a fence.
To release (a person) from confinement, especially from a prison.
A leap; a bound; a jump.
The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke.
A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its former state by its elasticity; as, the spring of a bow.
Elastic power or force.
Heavens! what a spring was in his arm!
An elastic body of any kind, as steel, India rubber, tough wood, or compressed air, used for various mechanical purposes, as receiving and imparting power, diminishing concussion, regulating motion, measuring weight or other force.
Any source of supply; especially, the source from which a stream proceeds; an issue of water from the earth; a natural fountain.
Any active power; that by which action, or motion, is produced or propagated; cause; origin; motive.
Our author shuns by vulgar springs to moveThe hero's glory, or the virgin's love.
That which springs, or is originated, from a source;
That which causes one to spring; specifically, a lively tune.
The season of the year when plants begin to vegetate and grow; the vernal season, usually comprehending the months of March, April, and May, in the middle latitudes north of the equator.
The time of growth and progress; early portion; first stage; as, the spring of life.
O how this spring of love resemblethThe uncertain glory of an April day.
A crack or fissure in a mast or yard, running obliquely or transversely.
The season of growth;
The emerging buds were a sure sign of spring
He will hold office until the spring of next year
A natural flow of ground water
A metal elastic device that returns to its shape or position when pushed or pulled or pressed;
The spring was broken
A light springing movement upwards or forwards
The elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
A point at which water issues forth
Move forward by leaps and bounds;
The horse bounded across the meadow
The child leapt across the puddle
Can you jump over the fence?
Develop into a distinctive entity;
Our plans began to take shape
Spring back; spring away from an impact;
The rubber ball bounced
These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
Produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly;
He sprang a new haircut on his wife
Develop suddenly;
The tire sprang a leak
Produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly;
He sprang these news on me just as I was leaving
To originate or arise from.
The idea for the new product sprang from a series of brainstorming sessions.
To appear or come into existence suddenly.
Mushrooms tend to spring up overnight in the damp conditions of the forest.
To pay for someone else as a treat or gift.
He decided to spring for dinner at the expensive restaurant for his anniversary.
A natural source of water emerging from the ground.
The fresh water from the mountain spring is crystal clear.
Spring Snonyms
Leap
To jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force.
The dancer leaped gracefully across the stage.
Emerge
To move out of or away from something and come into view.
The sun emerged from behind the clouds.
Jump
To push oneself off a surface and into the air by using the muscles in one's legs and feet.
The children love to jump on the trampoline.
Fountain
A natural spring of water, especially one that flows continuously.
The ancient fountain in the square has been flowing for centuries.
Bound
To move by leaps; spring.
The deer bounded across the meadow at the sight of humans.
Well
A spring or source of water from the ground.
The village depends on a well for its water supply.
Brook
A small, natural stream of fresh water.
They picnicked by the babbling brook on a sunny day.
Bounce
To spring back after hitting a hard surface.
The basketball bounced off the rim and back onto the court.
Source
A place, person, or thing from which something originates or can be obtained.
The library was a source of endless information.
Recoil
To spring back through force or impact.
The rifle recoiled heavily against his shoulder when he fired it.
Spring Idioms & Phrases
Spring into action
To start doing something quickly and energetically.
The team sprang into action to tackle the sudden crisis.
Spring a leak
When a container or vessel starts leaking.
The old water tank sprang a leak and flooded the basement.
Spring a surprise
To surprise someone unexpectedly.
He planned to spring a surprise on her with a birthday party.
Spring from
To originate or arise from.
Great ideas often spring from challenging situations.
Spring fever
A feeling of restlessness and excitement felt at the beginning of spring.
I've got spring fever and can't wait to start gardening.
Spring to life
To suddenly become lively or active.
The party really sprang to life when the band started playing.
Spring to mind
To come quickly into one's thoughts.
Several solutions spring to mind when considering the problem.
Spring on
To present or reveal something suddenly to someone.
She sprang the news on him that they were moving to a new city.
Spring cleaning
The act of cleaning a house thoroughly, traditionally done in the spring.
We do a big spring cleaning every year to freshen up the home.
Spring back
To return to a previous condition, typically quickly.
After being bent, the metal spring back to its original shape.
Spring forward, fall back
A mnemonic for remembering how to adjust clocks for daylight saving time.
Don't forget to set your clocks; spring forward, fall back!
Spring in one's step
A lively, buoyant way of walking.
He walked with a spring in his step after hearing the good news.
Spring at the chance
To eagerly seize an opportunity.
He sprang at the chance to travel abroad for work.
Spring-loaded
Equipped with a mechanism using a spring to return to its original position.
The spring-loaded drawer snaps shut automatically.
Spring of youth
Referring to the time of youth, seen as vigorous and fresh.
In the spring of youth, every day feels like a new adventure.
Spring eternal
Often used in the phrase "hope springs eternal," meaning optimism never dies.
Despite the challenges, hope springs eternal in the human breast.
No spring chicken
No longer young, often used humorously.
I'm no spring chicken, but I still enjoy learning new things.
Spring for something
To pay for something, especially as a treat.
He decided to spring for front-row tickets to the concert.
Spring to one's feet
To stand up quickly.
She sprang to her feet when her name was called.
Spring up
To appear or develop suddenly and quickly.
New cafes seem to spring up in this part of town every month.
Spring Example Sentences
She installed a spring in the door to keep it closed.
Spring is my favorite season because everything is so vibrant and full of life.
A fresh spring at the hill's base supplies the village with water.
With a spring in his step, he approached the podium to receive his award.
Mushrooms can spring up in your lawn almost overnight.
He decided to spring for an expensive gift to show his appreciation.
They conducted a thorough spring cleaning to declutter the house.
He was quick to spring at the opportunity to work with a renowned author.
Common Curiosities
How is spring used in a sentence?
Spring can refer to the season, a device like a metal coil, or the action of moving suddenly.
Why is it called spring?
The term "spring" for the season comes from "spring of the leaf" and "spring of the year," denoting the time when plants spring up, grow, and renew.
How do we divide spring into syllables?
Spring is a single syllable word, so it is not divided further.
What is the pronunciation of spring?
Spring is pronounced as /sprɪŋ/.
What is the verb form of spring?
The verb form of "spring" is "spring."
What is the first form of spring?
The first form of "spring" is "spring."
What is a stressed syllable in spring?
In the word "spring," the entire word is stressed as it is a single syllable.
What is the singular form of spring?
The singular form of "spring" is "spring."
How many syllables are in spring?
Spring has one syllable.
What part of speech is spring?
"Spring" can be a noun or a verb depending on the context.
What is the plural form of spring?
The plural form of "spring" is "springs" when referring to the device or sources of water. The season does not have a plural form.
What is the opposite of spring?
The opposite of spring (the season) could be "autumn" or "fall." For the mechanical device, an opposite concept could be "compress" as opposed to "springing" back.
What is the root word of spring?
The root of "spring" in the sense of the season is from Old English "springan," meaning to leap, burst forth, fly up; spread, grow.
Is the spring term a metaphor?
"Spring" can be used metaphorically to describe a sense of renewal or a fresh start.
What is another term for spring?
Another term for "spring" (the season) is "springtime." For the mechanical device, a synonym could be "coil."
Is spring a negative or positive word?
"Spring" generally carries positive connotations, especially when referring to the season.
Is spring a countable noun?
"Spring" is countable when referring to devices or sources of water; it is uncountable when referring to the season.
Is spring a collective noun?
No, "spring" is not a collective noun.
Is the word spring is imperative?
"Spring" can be used in the imperative form when commanding someone to leap or move quickly.
Is the word spring Gerund?
Yes, "springing" is the gerund form of the verb "spring."
What is the second form of spring?
The second form of "spring" is "sprang" or sometimes "sprung."
Is spring a noun or adjective?
Spring is primarily a noun and a verb, but it can function adjectivally in terms like "spring water."
Is spring an adverb?
No, "spring" is not an adverb.
Is spring an abstract noun?
No, "spring" as a season or device is a concrete noun, not abstract.
Which article is used with spring?
The definite article "the" is used when referring to the season specifically, as in "the spring," and "a" can be used when referring to a spring device, as in "a spring in the mechanism."
Which preposition is used with spring?
Common prepositions used with "spring" include "in" for the season and "on" for the action of moving suddenly.
Which conjunction is used with spring?
Conjunctions such as "and" and "but" can be used in sentences involving "spring."
What is the third form of spring?
The third form of "spring" is "sprung."
Is spring a vowel or consonant?
The word "spring" starts with a consonant.
Is the word “spring” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Spring" can be a direct object when used as a noun in sentences like "I fixed the spring."
Which determiner is used with spring?
Determiners such as "the" or "a" can be used with "spring," depending on whether it is specific or general.
Which vowel is used before spring?
Typically, "a" is used before "spring" when it is used as a countable noun, as in "a spring mechanism."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
