Spur Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPUR
1
[count]
:
a sharp pointed object that is attached to the heel of a horse rider's boot and that is pressed into the horse's side to make the horse go faster
2
[singular]
:
something that makes you want to do something or that causes something to happen
:
— often + to
- The reward was offered as a spur to greater work/achievement.
- a spur to the imagination
3
[count]
:
a mass of sharp rock on the side of a mountain
4
[count]
:
a short section of railway track that leads from the main line
on/at the spur of the moment
◊ If something is done on/at the spur of the moment, it is done immediately without planning.
- We decided on the spur of the moment to go to the beach.
— see also spur-of-the-moment
win/earn your spurs
:
to do something which shows that you deserve to be respected or noticed
- He earned/won his spurs by doubling the company's profits in the past year.
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPUR
[+ object]
1
:
to encourage (someone) to do or achieve something
- The reward spurred them to work harder.
— often + on
- His encouragement spurred them on to finish the project.
2
:
to cause (something) to happen or to happen more quickly
- Lower interest rates should spur economic growth.
3
:
to urge (a horse) to go faster by pushing spurs into its sides
- He spurred the horse onward.