spring·board
ˈspriŋ-ˌbȯrd 
plural springboards
1
: a flexible board usually secured at one end and used for gymnastic stunts or diving
2
: something that helps launch an activity, enterprise, etc.
… hopes motherhood will be the springboard that relaunches her stagnant acting career.—
Roy S. Johnson
Roy S. Johnson… Ueberroth is denying claims that he will use the Games as a springboard to high political office.—Ray Kennedy
Ray Kennedy
springboarded; springboarding; springboards
1
intransitive
: to launch upward from or as if from a springboard
… cloud-scraping 60-meter punts pulling a half-dozen bodies skyward, each trying to springboard off the small of the other's back …—Gary Smith
Gary Smith2
transitive + intransitive
: to start or help start something (such as an activity or enterprise)
The company has spent heavily to establish a brand name and reputation from scratch, with no brick-and-mortar stores to springboard its efforts.—Chris O'Malley
Chris O'MalleyFortunately I got the approval, and that springboarded the work.—Andrew Grant
Andrew GrantExamples of springboard in a Sentence
Noun
The news served as a springboard for a class discussion.
Recent Examples on the WebTaylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
These relationships provided the springboard for Iranian influence at key turning points for regional stability.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for springboard 
Noun
White House officials and lawmakers used the announcement as a springboard to propose legislation to provide more funding for anti-fraud enforcement, extend the statute of limitations on prosecuting crimes, and to improve government databases to better detect when payments should not be made.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
These relationships provided the springboard for Iranian influence at key turning points for regional stability.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for springboard
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'springboard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near springboard
Cite this Entry
“Springboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/springboard. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
springboard
noun
spring·board
ˈspriŋ-ˌbō(ə)rd
-ˌbȯ(ə)rd
1
: a flexible board usually fastened at one end and used for jumping high in gymnastics or diving
2
: a point of departure
a springboard to success in business
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