springboard

spring +‎ board

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springboard (plural springboards)

1. A diving board consisting of a flexible, springy, cantilevered platform, used for diving into water.
2. (gymnastics) A small platform on springs and usually hinged at one end, used to launch or vault onto other equipment.
3. (figuratively) Anything that gives a person or thing energy or impulse, or that serves to launch or begin something.

   The opportunity served a springboard to their success.

springboard (third-person singular simple present springboards, present participle springboarding, simple past and past participle springboarded)

1. (transitive) To launch or propel as if from a springboard, especially toward political office.
   • 2007 October 4, Jennifer Steinhauer, “In Ballot Fight, California Gets a Taste of ’08”, in New York Times‎:

     Such a change could amount to a seismic shift in the nation’s electoral dynamics, potentially springboarding a Republican into the White House, and the possibility has animated hopeful Republicans and fearful Democrats.