1
a
: a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse
b
spurs plural
[from the acquisition of spurs by a person achieving knighthood]
: recognition and reward for achievement
won his academic spurs as the holder of a chair in a university—
James Mountford
2
: a goad to action : stimulus
3
: something projecting like or suggesting a spur: such as
a
: a projecting root or branch of a tree, shrub, or vine
b(1)
: a stiff sharp spine (as on the wings or legs of a bird or insect)
especially
: one on a cock's leg
(2)
: a gaff for a gamecock
c
: a hollow projecting appendage of a corolla or calyx (as in larkspur or columbine)
d
e
4
a
: an angular projection, offshoot, or branch extending out beyond or away from a main body or formation
especially
: a ridge or lesser elevation that extends laterally from a mountain or mountain range
b
: a railroad track that branches off from a main line
5
: a reinforcing buttress of masonry in a fortification
spurred; spurring
1
: to urge (a horse) on with spurs
2
: to incite to action or accelerated growth or development : stimulate
3
: to put spurs on
: to spur one's horse on
Synonyms
Examples of spur in a Sentence
Noun
the threat of losing its only sports franchise was the spur the city council needed to finally do something about the rising crime rate
a weak wall that might need a spur
Verb
The reward spurred them to work harder.
Lower interest rates should spur economic growth.
He spurred the horse onward.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 7 Nov. 2024
By Yasmeen Serhan November 27, 2024 11:40 AM EST
European leaders see Donald Trump’s return to the White House as a spur to the continent’s independence amid the potential weakening of a partnership that has shaped the world for most of the last century.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
Gustavo Castillo, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
This can create disconnect and tension between parents and kids, says Botwin, possibly spurring mental and physical symptoms of stress.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spur 
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Noun
Meanwhile, a spur of the rift extends offshore to the one place that has already rifted away: Madagascar.
—Verb
In 2004, the Defense Advanced Research Projects agency (DARPA) held the Grand Challenge, a 150 mile course in the Mojave desert to spur development of autonomous vehicles.
—Dictionary Entries Near spur
Cite this Entry
“Spur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spur. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
spur
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a pointed device fastened to the back of a rider's boot and used to urge a horse on
b
plural
: recognition for achievement
2
: something that makes one want to do something : incentive
3
a
: a stiff sharp pointed part (as a horny spine on the leg of a rooster)
b
: a hollow flower part that sticks out especially on a petal (as of a columbine) or on a sepal (as of a larkspur)
4
: a mass of jagged rock coming out from the side of a mountain
5
: a short section of railway track coming away from the main line
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