springboard
1 of 2noun
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 Kennedyspringboard
2 of 2verb
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 Grant
Example Sentences
Noun The news served as a springboard for a class discussion.
Recent Examples on the Web Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 But the experience served as a springboard for his calling career. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 3 Sep. 2022 Use nature as a springboard for your curiosity and learning. Tracy Brower, Forbes, 14 Aug. 2022 Being chancellor and having to make tough decisions is seldom a springboard to becoming party leader. Vernon Bogdanor, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 This relaxed coastal town in Baja California Sur is a springboard to some of the region’s most thrilling ocean explorations. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022 Some of these restaurant owners are industry veterans for whom a layoff became a springboard to starting a new venture. Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2021 The lieutenant governor role would be a springboard. Bill Glauber, Journal Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2022 What may have initially seemed like a hurdle, however, turned out to be a springboard. Nick Romano, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
But the Tigers said Saturday’s results can serve as a springboard for the remainder of the season. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 But the experience served as a springboard for his calling career. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 3 Sep. 2022 Use nature as a springboard for your curiosity and learning. Tracy Brower, Forbes, 14 Aug. 2022 Being chancellor and having to make tough decisions is seldom a springboard to becoming party leader. Vernon Bogdanor, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 This relaxed coastal town in Baja California Sur is a springboard to some of the region’s most thrilling ocean explorations. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022 Some of these restaurant owners are industry veterans for whom a layoff became a springboard to starting a new venture. Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2021 The lieutenant governor role would be a springboard. Bill Glauber, Journal Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2022 What may have initially seemed like a hurdle, however, turned out to be a springboard. Nick Romano, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
springboard
noun
spring·board ˈspriŋ-ˌbȯrd
: a flexible board usually fastened at one end and used for jumping high in the air in gymnastics or diving