WordGarden.iosprint
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /sprˈɪnt/
US
- /ˈsprɪnt/
Meanings
Verb
to run at full speed for a short distance
Noun
a short burst of running at full speed or a short fast race
a short fixed work cycle in agile project management
Beyond the definition
A sprint isn't just about running really, really fast. It's about doing it for a short, intense period. Think of Usain Bolt exploding off the starting line in the Olympics. But "sprint" doesn't always involve legs. In software development, a sprint is a focused period of work, usually one to four weeks, when a team tries to finish specific tasks. It's like a short race: full effort for a set time, then a pause to catch your breath and plan the next step. You might sprint to finish a project before a deadline, or make one final sprint to get everything done before time runs out.
The word "sprint" originally described running at top speed over a short distance—think of a 100-meter dash. It evokes images of explosive energy and focused effort. The phrase "She won the race with a final sprint" means she ran as fast as possible in the last stretch to secure victory.
However, "sprint" has expanded beyond athletics. In project management, particularly in Agile methods, a sprint is a short, time-boxed period, typically one to four weeks, during which a development team works to complete a set amount of work. It's a focused burst of activity designed to deliver steady progress. Think of it as breaking down a long project into short, manageable stages.
Figuratively, "sprint" can also describe any quick and intense effort towards a goal. "We had a final sprint to get the presentation finished before the meeting" means everyone worked quickly and efficiently in the last moments. You might even sprint through your morning routine when you're running late!
So, whether it's athletes racing, developers coding, or individuals rushing to meet a deadline, a sprint is all about maximum effort over a short duration—a concentrated burst of speed and energy towards a specific goal.
Examples
- 1
Race finish
She sprinted the last 100 meters and won the race.
- 2
Catching transport
I had to sprint to the station to catch the last train.
- 3
Sudden movement
The children came sprinting back inside when it started to rain.
- 4
Cycling
After riding steadily for most of the climb, he saved his energy for a final sprint to the top.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Deadline work
The team is in a sprint to finish the project before the deadline.
- Phrasein a sprint
working very fast for a short time
- 6
Work planning
We broke the job into two-week sprints so the work would stay manageable.
- Domainin some workplaces, a sprint
a short planned period of work
- 7
Software development
At the end of each sprint, the developers show what they have built.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sprintnounverb
Forms
- sprintspluralnounverb
- sprinting-ing formverbnoun
- sprintedpast tenseverbnoun