springboard

plural springboards

1. A board consisting of a flexible, springy, cantilevered platform that propels one into the air, used for diving or gymnastics.
2. figurativelySomething that acts as a catalyst to begin or accelerate an action or growth.

   The opportunity acted as a springboard for their success.

   2 more examples

   It was the section of the North Midland Railway from Derby to Ambergate which provided the springboard for a scheme that took shape in the early part of 1845 for a route through the Peak to Manchester.

   1960 March, J. P. Wilson, E. N. C. Haywood, “The route through the Peak - Derby to Manchester: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 148

   Culturally and economically Finland is a Western nation. But would the Finns fight if the Soviets tried to use Finnish territory as a springboard to attack NATO?

   1989 May, Priit J. Vesilind, “The Baltic: Arena of Power”, in National Geographic, volume 175, number 5, page 614

present singular third person springboards · participle present springboarding · participle past springboarded · past springboarded

1. transitiveTo launch or propel as if from a springboard, especially toward political office.

   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.

   2007 October 4, Jennifer Steinhauer, “In Ballot Fight, California Gets a Taste of ’08”, in New York Times