# springer

/ˈspɹɪŋɝ/ (US) · /spɹˈɪŋɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/springer
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. dog breed

noun · CEFR B2

a type of medium-sized dog, known as a Springer Spaniel, that was originally used for hunting.

For teachers: a Springer Spaniel; a breed of gun dog traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game.

- The energetic springer ran through the tall grass to find the ball.
- The trainer noted that the springer possessed an instinctive drive to flush birds from the thicket, a trait typical of the breed.

### 2. architecture

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the bottom stone of an arch, where the curve starts to go up.

For teachers: the lowest stone of an arch, resting on the impost where the curve begins.

- The mason carefully placed the springer to ensure the arch would be stable.
- Restoration of the cathedral required replacing a cracked springer at the base of the southern nave arch to maintain structural integrity.

### 3. fish

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Dialect

a salmon that returns to the river to spawn in the early spring.

For teachers: a North Atlantic salmon that returns from the sea to fresh water early in the season.

- Fishermen gathered by the river hoping to catch the first springer of the year.
- Local anglers prize the springer for its strength and quality, as these early-run fish are often in peak physical condition.

## Examples

- The mason carefully placed the springer on the pillar.
- Architects must ensure the springer is perfectly level to support the weight of the entire stone arch.
- In Gothic architecture, the springer often serves as the base for multiple ribs that fan out across the ceiling to form a complex vaulted structure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.