Explanation at your level:
A sprint is a very fast run. You run for a short time. You run as fast as you can. It is like a race. You can sprint to your friend. You can sprint to the door. It is fun to run fast!
A sprint is a short race. Athletes sprint on a track. You might sprint when you are late for school. It is the opposite of walking slowly. You use all your energy in a sprint.
In sports, a sprint is a race over a short distance. You have to run at your maximum speed. We also use the word for other things. For example, if you are late, you might sprint to catch the train. In business, a sprint is a short period of hard work.
The noun sprint refers to a short, high-speed burst of activity. While it is most commonly associated with track and field, it is frequently used metaphorically. You might hear someone say they are in a 'sprint' to meet a deadline, implying intense, focused effort. It is a versatile word that conveys both speed and urgency.
Beyond its literal athletic definition, sprint has been adopted into organizational theory, particularly within 'Agile' project management. Here, it denotes a fixed, time-boxed period during which specific work must be completed. This usage highlights the nuance of the word: it is not just about speed, but about concentrated effort. When you sprint, you are intentionally sacrificing long-term pacing for immediate, high-output results.
Etymologically, sprint captures the essence of a sudden, energetic release. In literary contexts, it may be used to describe a sudden rush of emotion or a frantic burst of inspiration. The word carries a connotation of 'bursting forth'—a sharp break from a steady state. Whether in the context of professional productivity or physical exertion, the term remains anchored in the concept of a transient, high-intensity interval that stands in stark contrast to the sustained, slower pace of a marathon or a long-term strategy.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A sprint is a very fast, short run.
- It is used in sports and business.
- The plural is sprints.
- It comes from Old Norse.
Hey there! Think of a sprint as the opposite of a marathon. While a marathon is all about endurance and pacing yourself, a sprint is all about pure, explosive power. When someone decides to sprint, they are pushing their body to its absolute limit for a very short time.
You will often hear this word on the track, but it has moved into our daily lives too. In the office, a team might do a sprint to finish a project before a deadline. It is that feeling of giving 100% effort because you know the finish line is just around the corner!
The word sprint has roots in the Old Norse word 'spretta', which means to jump, crack, or splash. It made its way into Middle English as 'sprenten', meaning to leap or burst forth. It is quite a lively history for such a fast word!
By the 16th century, it was being used to describe quick, sudden movements. It wasn't until the 19th century that it became the standard term for those intense, short-distance races we see in the Olympics today. It is fascinating how a word meant to describe a simple 'jump' evolved into a term for professional athletic excellence.
Using sprint is quite straightforward. You can use it as a noun to describe the event (e.g., 'The 100-meter sprint') or as a verb to describe the action (e.g., 'I had to sprint to catch the bus').
In professional settings, especially in software development, a sprint is a specific term for a set period where a team works on a list of tasks. It is a very common term in business jargon now. Whether you are talking about sports or a busy day at work, remember that it implies intensity and speed.
Sprint is a regular noun. Its plural form is simply sprints. It is a countable noun, so you can say 'a sprint' or 'two sprints'.
Pronunciation-wise, it is a one-syllable word. In both British and American English, the IPA is /sprɪnt/. It rhymes with words like tint, hint, mint, lint, and glint. The 'spr' blend can be tricky for some learners, so make sure to keep the 's', 'p', and 'r' sounds distinct but connected!
Fun Fact
It shares roots with words that mean to crack or splash!
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'i' sound like in 'bit'.
Crisp 't' at the end.
Common Errors
- Mixing up the 'sp' sound
- Adding an extra syllable
- Mispronouncing the short 'i'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun Plurals
sprint -> sprints
Verb Tenses
sprint -> sprinted
Articles
a sprint
Examples by Level
I like to sprint.
I enjoy running fast.
Verb usage.
The sprint is short.
The race is not long.
Noun usage.
He can sprint fast.
He runs with speed.
Adverbial modifier.
It is a fast sprint.
The race is very quick.
Adjective + noun.
We sprint to school.
We run to school quickly.
Action verb.
Watch the sprint.
Look at the race.
Imperative.
That was a sprint.
That run was fast.
Demonstrative.
Do a sprint now.
Run fast right now.
Collocation.
The runners began their sprint.
She won the 100-meter sprint.
I had to sprint to the bus stop.
The dog went for a quick sprint.
He is training for the sprint.
They sprinted across the field.
The sprint was very exciting.
Don't sprint too early in the race.
The team is in the middle of a development sprint.
He finished the race with a powerful sprint.
We need a sprint to finish this project on time.
The athlete's sprint speed is incredible.
She sprinted to the door when the phone rang.
The final sprint decided the winner.
They decided to sprint the last mile.
The project sprint ends on Friday.
The marketing team is doing a two-week sprint.
His sprint to the finish line was legendary.
We are at the sprint stage of the product launch.
She maintained a sprint pace for the whole block.
The athlete's sprint technique is flawless.
They sprinted through the checklist to meet the deadline.
The race was won in a dramatic sprint.
Focus on your sprint mechanics.
The team adopted a sprint methodology for the software rollout.
He broke away from the pack in a final, desperate sprint.
The sprint to the quarterly deadline was exhausting.
Her sprint performance improved after the training.
They sprinted toward the goal with renewed energy.
The concept of a sprint is central to Agile development.
He managed a sprint to the exit before it closed.
The sprint duration was extended by two days.
The athlete's sprint was a masterclass in kinetic energy.
They engaged in a frantic sprint to salvage the failing project.
The sprint, by its very nature, demands total physiological commitment.
He sprinted through the pages of the report to find the error.
The sprint cycle is designed to maximize agile output.
A sudden sprint of adrenaline helped him reach the top.
Their sprint to success was marked by intense focus.
The sprint is a microcosm of the entire race.
Common Collocations
Easily Confused
both are races
marathon is long, sprint is short
He ran a marathon, not a sprint.
both are running
jog is slow, sprint is fast
I will jog, you can sprint.
both mean fast
dash is more casual
Make a dash for it!
both imply movement
leap is a jump
He leaped over the fence.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + sprint + to + location
I sprint to the park.
The + noun + is + a + sprint
The race is a sprint.
They + are + in + a + sprint
They are in a sprint.
He + won + the + sprint
He won the sprint.
We + need + a + sprint + to + finish
We need a sprint to finish.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Sprint implies short distance.
Jump is vertical; sprint is horizontal.
Sprint is a verb, not a noun here.
A sprint is specifically high-intensity.
Standard pluralization.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a runner on a track.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they are in a hurry.
Cultural Insight
Very common in Olympic talk.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a regular noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'spr' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with marathon.
Did You Know?
It comes from Old Norse.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence today.
Business Tip
Use it to mean 'short project'.
Practice
Say 'sprint' 5 times fast.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
SPRINT: Speed, Power, Running, Intensity, Now, Time.
Visual Association
A runner leaving a starting block like a rocket.
Word Web
Challenge
Time yourself sprinting for 10 seconds.
Word Origin
Old Norse
Original meaning: To jump or burst
Cultural Context
None.
Common in sports and business culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at sports
- start the sprint
- win the sprint
- sprint speed
at work
- project sprint
- sprint cycle
- finish the sprint
traveling
- sprint to the gate
- sprint to the bus
daily life
- sprint to the phone
- sprint to the door
Conversation Starters
"Do you like to sprint?"
"Have you ever won a sprint?"
"Is a sprint hard to do?"
"Do you use sprints at work?"
"Who is the fastest sprinter you know?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to sprint.
Why is a sprint different from a marathon?
How does a sprint feel?
Describe a sprint in a movie.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt can be both!
Usually short, like 100-400 meters.
Yes, in project management.
Sprints.
Yes, the fastest.
No, it is for humans.
A person who does sprints.
No, it is the opposite.
Test Yourself
I need to ___ to catch the bus.
Sprint means to run fast.
What is a sprint?
A sprint is a short, fast run.
A sprint is usually a long-distance race.
A sprint is a short-distance race.
Word
Meaning
Matches correct definitions.
He won the sprint.
Which is a synonym for sprint?
Dash is a synonym.
Agile teams use the word sprint.
Yes, it is a common business term.
He gave a final ___ effort.
Sprint fits the context of effort.
Word
Meaning
Matches intensity levels.
He sprinted to the finish.
Score: /10
Summary
A sprint is a short, intense burst of speed or effort.
- A sprint is a very fast, short run.
- It is used in sports and business.
- The plural is sprints.
- It comes from Old Norse.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a runner on a track.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they are in a hurry.
Cultural Insight
Very common in Olympic talk.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a regular noun.
Example
I did a quick sprint to catch the bus.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
More Sports words
throw
A1To send something through the air with force using your arm and hand. It is a fundamental action in many sports where players move a ball or object to a target or another person.
track
A1A track is a special path or circuit, usually in an oval shape, used for sports like running, cycling, or horse racing. It provides a flat, controlled surface for athletes to compete and practice.
bat
A1A long, specially shaped piece of wood or metal used for hitting the ball in sports like baseball or cricket. It typically has a narrow handle for gripping and a wider end for striking the ball.
club
A1A club is an organization for people who share a common interest, especially in sports or social activities. It can also refer to the heavy stick used to hit the ball in the game of golf.
referee
A1A person who ensures that players follow the rules during a sports game or match. They have the authority to make decisions and stop play if a foul occurs.
defender
A1A player in a team sport whose main role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring. It also refers to a person who protects someone or something from attack or criticism.
locker room
A1A room in a gym, school, or sports stadium where people change their clothes and keep their belongings in lockers. It often contains showers and benches for athletes to use before and after exercise.
umpire
A1A person whose job is to watch a sports match and make sure that players follow the rules. They are the official judge in sports like tennis, baseball, and cricket.
fan
A1A fan is a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular sports team, athlete, or celebrity. Fans often show their support by watching games, wearing team colors, and attending events.
pool
A1A pool is a large, man-made hole filled with water for people to swim in. It is common in sports centers, schools, and private homes for exercise and fun.
