spring tide

noun

1. the large rise and fall of the tide at or soon after the new or the full moon.
2. any great flood or swelling rush:

   a spring tide of compliments.

spring tide

noun

1. either of the two tides that occur at or just after new moon and full moon when the tide-generating force of the sun acts in the same direction as that of the moon, reinforcing it and causing the greatest rise and fall in tidal level. The highest spring tides ( equinoctial springs ) occur at the equinoxes Compare neap tide
2. any great rush or flood

spring tide

1. A tide in which the difference between high and low tide is the greatest. Spring tides occur when the Moon is either new or full, and the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth are aligned. When this is the case, their collective gravitational pull on the Earth's water is strengthened.
2. Compare neap tideSee more at tide

Word History and Origins

Origin of spring tide¹

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

The recovery vessels took advantage of high spring tides around the full moon on Sunday to free the Ever Given, which had blocked Egypt’s Suez Canal for almost a week.

From Time

Many men were at his beck throughout that winter, and when the spring-tide came called he a muster and gat him many more.

From Project Gutenberg

When spring-tide was come both Kings called out many men and ships for this journey.

From Project Gutenberg

Now was the winter gone and the spring-tide come again, and with the blossoming of the earth blossomed Birdalone also.

From Project Gutenberg

A spring-tide, urged by a breeze from the south-west, speeds along at a rate of ten miles an hour.

From Project Gutenberg

The height of the bank at the Portland end is 35 ft. above spring-tide level, and its breadth 200 yds.

From Project Gutenberg