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
Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Feb. 2025
Trump attended most days of the 2024 trial, criticizing Carroll as a liar from his seat in the courtroom and sparring with the judge who oversaw the case.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025
Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
The online spar began when Banks openly criticized Charli XCX — who is engaged to the 1975 drummer George Daniel — in one of her signature tirades.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spar 
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Verb
Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Trump sparred last week about a possible 25% tariff on incoming Colombian goods and eventually reached a deal about accepting deportation flights.
—Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Feb. 2025
Trump attended most days of the 2024 trial, criticizing Carroll as a liar from his seat in the courtroom and sparring with the judge who oversaw the case.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
Biden uses former President Jimmy Carter's death to criticize Trump in a verbal spar.
2.
—Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
The online spar began when Banks openly criticized Charli XCX — who is engaged to the 1975 drummer George Daniel — in one of her signature tirades.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spar
Dictionary Entries Near spar
Cite this Entry
“Spar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spar. Accessed 9 Feb. 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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