spring tide

noun

the large rise and fall of the tide at or soon after the new or the full moon.

any great flood or swelling rush:

a spring tide of compliments.

Origin

1520-30

Examples from the web for spring tide

They are then transported back inside estuaries on the subsequent spring tide.
Shoreline intertidal communities span the area between the mean high water line and lowest spring tide level.
One spring tide range per month is usually higher than the other, a consequence of the moon's distance and declination.
Spawning zones moved up and down the beach foreshore as the high tide line shifted diurnally and daily over spring tide cycles.
For instance, a spring tide is usually accompanied by stronger tidal currents than a neap tide.

British Dictionary definitions for spring tide

spring tide

noun

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

any great rush or flood

spring tide in Science

spring tide

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. Compare neap tide. See more at tide.

Encyclopedia Article for spring tide

tide of maximal range, near the time of new and full moon when the Sun and Moon are in syzygy-i.e., aligned with the Earth. Conjunction is the time during new moon when the Sun and Moon lie on the same side of the Earth. The other syzygy condition, opposition, occurs during full moon when the Sun and Moon are positioned on opposite sides of the Earth. In either case of syzygy, the tide-producing forces of the Sun and the Moon reinforce each other, and the tidal amplitudes on Earth are at their greatest. See tide.

Learn more about spring tide with a free trial on Britannica.com