starter

1 of 2

noun

start·​er ˈstär-tər 

1

: a person who initiates or sets going: such as

a

: an official who gives the signal to begin a race

b

: one who dispatches vehicles

2

a

: one that engages in a competition

especially : a member of a starting lineup

b

: one that begins to engage in an activity or process

3

: one that causes something to begin operating: such as

a

: a device for starting an engine

especially : an electric motor used to start an internal combustion engine

b

: material containing microorganisms (such as yeast) used to induce a desired fermentation

4

: something that is the beginning of a process, activity, or series

especially : appetizer

starter

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being an item acquired with the expectation that a more elaborate or sophisticated model will be acquired in the future

a starter home

Phrases

for starters

: to begin with

Examples of starter in a Sentence

Noun

The team is playing only five regular starters.

The car's starter needs to be replaced.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One year removed from retirement, safety Tony Jefferson has gone from practice squad menace to reliable starter with 27 tackles in the last six games. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Regardless of Warren’s eventual landing spot, though, an NFL team will be upgrading its tight end position with an immediate starter. —Dane Brugler, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Bunny’s online store sold a starter pack of six buttons for $65. —Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

The Orioles signed Tyler O’Neill, catcher Gary Sánchez and starter Tomoyuki Sugano. —Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing starter

• kick-starter
• self-starter
• starter home/house
• starter kit

Kids Definition

starter

noun

start·​er

ˈstärt-ər

: someone or something that starts something or causes something else to start

the starter of a motor