1
a
: a small particle of a burning substance thrown out by a body in combustion or remaining when combustion is nearly completed
b
: a hot glowing particle struck from a larger mass
especially
: one heated by friction
2
a
: a luminous disruptive electrical discharge of very short duration between two conductors separated by a gas (such as air)
b
: the discharge in a spark plug
c
: the mechanism controlling the discharge in a spark plug
4
: something that sets off a sudden force
provided the spark that helped the team to rally
5
: a latent particle capable of growth or developing : germ
still retains a spark of decency
6
sparks plural in form but singular in construction
: a radio operator on a ship
sparked; sparking; sparks
1
a
: to throw out sparks
b
: to flash or fall like sparks
2
: to produce sparks
specifically
: to have the electric ignition working
3
: to respond with enthusiasm
Examples of spark in a Sentence
Noun (1)
not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs
Verb (1)
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
President Kennedy's inspirational speeches sparked a generation of young idealists to enter the public arena
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
The building blocks of life on Earth may have been fueled by tiny sparks hopping between water droplets.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Schumer’s move has sparked outrage from some Democrats and progressive activists who protested at his office and called on him to resign his position.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spark
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Noun
Give me John Calipari's Razorbacks, who should get a spark from dynamic freshman Boogie Fland.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
The building blocks of life on Earth may have been fueled by tiny sparks hopping between water droplets.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
Another 1,671 firms reached $2.5 to $4.9 million, up from 506 in 2021.
Transportation and warehousing: With the e-commerce explosion sparking demand for last-mile transportation and warehousing, solopreneurs in this space profited.
—Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Schumer’s move has sparked outrage from some Democrats and progressive activists who protested at his office and called on him to resign his position.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spark
Cite this Entry
“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spark. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spark
1 of 3 noun1
a
: a small bit of a burning material
b
: a hot glowing bit struck from a mass
2
: a short bright flash of electricity between two points
4
: a small amount that could grow into something larger
still has a spark of decency
spark
2 of 3 verb1
: to give off or cause to give off sparks
2
: to cause to get going
the question sparked quite an argument
sparked the team to victory
Etymology
Noun
Old English spearca "spark"
Verb
from earlier spark (noun) "a foolish young man, boyfriend"
Biographical Definition
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