1
: a stout pole
2
a
: a stout rounded usually wood or metal piece (such as a mast, boom, gaff, or yard) used to support rigging
b
: any of the main longitudinal members of the wing of an airplane that carry the ribs
sparred; sparring
1
a
: box entry 3
especially
: to gesture without landing a blow to draw one's opponent or create an opening
b
: to engage in a practice or exhibition bout of boxing
3
: to strike or fight with feet or spurs in the manner of a gamecock
: any of various nonmetallic usually cleavable and lustrous minerals
Examples of spar in a Sentence
Verb
He's been sparring with his trainer.
They sparred playfully over whose team was better.
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
The governor spent most of the weekend through Tuesday posting glib clips of his interviews with national news outlets and liberal YouTube streamers, sparring with Republicans online and sending fundraising emails from his Campaign for Democracy PAC.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2025
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 May 2025
Spar over tariffs One of the early signs of a spar during the interview came when Moran asked Trump about his tariff policy — and in particular his response to economic experts who say that policy would lead to a rise in consumer prices.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spar
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Verb
With melancholy and playfulness both, Seed threads in her own introspective voice-over and contemporary footage (poring over material, visiting her dad, sparring with a boyfriend).
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
The governor spent most of the weekend through Tuesday posting glib clips of his interviews with national news outlets and liberal YouTube streamers, sparring with Republicans online and sending fundraising emails from his Campaign for Democracy PAC.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2025
Noun
It is recommended not to harvest any spears for the first two years after planting asparagus crowns, widely available through Internet vendors, so that thick rhizomes, needed for growth of robust spars, can form.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 May 2025
Spar over tariffs One of the early signs of a spar during the interview came when Moran asked Trump about his tariff policy — and in particular his response to economic experts who say that policy would lead to a rise in consumer prices.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spar
Cite this Entry
“Spar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spar. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spar
1 of 2 noun1
: a stout pole
2
: a long rounded usually wood or metal piece (as a mast, boom, or yard) to which a sail is fastened
spar
2 of 2 verb
sparred; sparring
1
: to box or make boxing movements with the fists for practice or in fun
Etymology
Noun
Middle English sparre "a stout pole, a pole used to support a sail on a ship"
Verb
Middle English sparren "to dart, spring"
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