kicked; kicking; kicks
1
a
: to strike out with the foot or feet
b
: to make a kick in football
2
3
: to function with vitality and energy
alive and kicking
4
of a firearm
: to recoil when fired
5
: to go from one place to another as circumstance or whim dictates
6
: to run at a faster speed during the last part of a race
1
a
: to strike, thrust, or hit with the foot
b
: to strike suddenly and forcefully as if with the foot
c
: to remove by a kicking motion
kicked off her shoes
d
: to remove from a position or status
kicked him off the team
see also kick to the curb
2
: to score by kicking a ball
3
: to heap reproaches upon (oneself)
kicked themselves for not going
4
: to free oneself of (something, such as a drug habit)
1
a
: a blow or sudden forceful thrust with the foot
specifically
: a sudden propelling of a ball with the foot
b
: the power to kick
c
: a rhythmic motion of the legs used in swimming
d
: a burst of speed in racing
2
: a sudden forceful jolt or thrust suggesting a kick
especially
: the recoil of a gun
4
a
: a feeling or expression of opposition or objection
a kick against the administration
b
: the grounds for objection
5
a
: a powerful or forceful effect
chili with a kick
b
: a stimulating or pleasurable effect or experience
—often used in the phrases get a kick out of and (just) for kicks
… we just got a big kick out of seeing our names in the paper—
Joel Stein
Joel SteinShe plays golf just for kicks [=for fun].
c
: pursuit of an absorbing or obsessive new interest
—usually used with on
"… I'll get on a kick though where I can't get enough of something, and it'll show up in everything. … "—Danny Markowicz
Danny MarkowiczIf you're on a post-Christmas health kick, there are plenty of seasonal vegetables to keep you going …—Caroline Lindsay
Caroline Lindsay6
7
kicks plural, US slang
: shoes or sneakers
… nothing draws more attention to a rare pair of kicks than the cuffed hem of slim sweats.—Steve Dool
Steve DoolSynonyms
Examples of kick in a Sentence
Verb
The attacker kicked him in the stomach.
She lost her temper and kicked over the box.
He kicked the ball into the goal.
She kicked the ball to me.
The policeman kicked the door open.
The baby kicked his legs in the air.
The swimming instructor reminded the children to kick their legs as they swam.
The baby kicked with pleasure.
He kicked the winning field goal.
When he was 25, he kicked his cocaine habit and went back to school.
Noun
He gave me a kick in the leg.
If you give the machine a little kick, it should start working again.
a long kick in football
Recent Examples on the WebJennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 20 July 2017
Indianapolis kicks off its four-game preseason schedule on Aug. 13 against the Detroit Lions.
—Mark Inabinett, AL.com, 18 July 2017
That would explain why Peter Dinklage kicked off this season in total silence.
—Joanna Robinson, HWD, 16 July 2017
FCKC ORL Shots 7 25 Shots on goal 3
11
Saves
7
2
Corner kicks3
8
Fouls
5
10
Offsides
3
0
YELLOW CARDS
Kansas City: Gibbons, 88th.
—kansascity, 15 July 2017
Moving the cattle somewhere else to avoid conflict if wolves show up — or kicking them off the national forest altogether, as some critics would like — isn’t so simple.
—Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, 14 July 2017
On a makeshift kickball field on the National Mall, Jacquelyn Keenan cheered as one of her teammates kicked a rubber ball into the air and sprinted for first base.
—Jim Rendon, New York Times, 14 July 2017
Baseball's annual swap-o-rama got underway Thursday as the Cubs and White Sox kicked off the traditional shuffling of prospects for potential game-changers.
—Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2017
Others pointed out that members of Congress have been scolded too, as when Representative Bobby Rush was kicked off the floor for wearing a hoodie to honor Trayvon Martin.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 13 July 2017
Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2024
The Uba Pro Sneakers are available for $129; keep scrolling to shop more colors of the comfy kicks and other popular Cariuma styles.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Poblano pepper gives this filling breakfast a little kick.
—Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, video game veterans will get a kick from the references to the franchise.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
Lots of memories from that special day and a high-quality (and sentimental) product that beautifully preserves every fine line and fingerprint.
4 Fun Giant Kick Croquet
If the grandparents are sporty or have a yard, this set of kick croquet is the perfect family-friendly addition to their lives.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
These include planks, crunches, reverse crunches, sit-ups, hanging knee raises, mountain climbers, scissor kicks, leg raises and bicycle kicks.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
At worst, Tracy will be a replacement for Ray Ray McCloud who can return kicks and punts—both vital roles in the modern game, especially with the new kickoff rules.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
The hackers and programmers of 4Chan were out for kicks.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Verb
The annual SharonFest, kicking off July 28, is a party with a purpose.
—Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 20 July 2017
Indianapolis kicks off its four-game preseason schedule on Aug. 13 against the Detroit Lions.
—Mark Inabinett, AL.com, 18 July 2017
That would explain why Peter Dinklage kicked off this season in total silence.
—Joanna Robinson, HWD, 16 July 2017
FCKC ORL Shots 7 25 Shots on goal 3
11
Saves
7
2
Corner kicks3
8
Fouls
5
10
Offsides
3
0
YELLOW CARDS
Kansas City: Gibbons, 88th.
—kansascity, 15 July 2017
Moving the cattle somewhere else to avoid conflict if wolves show up — or kicking them off the national forest altogether, as some critics would like — isn’t so simple.
—Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, 14 July 2017
On a makeshift kickball field on the National Mall, Jacquelyn Keenan cheered as one of her teammates kicked a rubber ball into the air and sprinted for first base.
—Jim Rendon, New York Times, 14 July 2017
Baseball's annual swap-o-rama got underway Thursday as the Cubs and White Sox kicked off the traditional shuffling of prospects for potential game-changers.
—Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2017
Others pointed out that members of Congress have been scolded too, as when Representative Bobby Rush was kicked off the floor for wearing a hoodie to honor Trayvon Martin.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 13 July 2017
Noun
Peruvian Ceviche and Peruvian-style roast chicken receive their kick from aji pepper, which can be fresh, dried, or made into paste.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2024
The Uba Pro Sneakers are available for $129; keep scrolling to shop more colors of the comfy kicks and other popular Cariuma styles.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Poblano pepper gives this filling breakfast a little kick.
—Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, video game veterans will get a kick from the references to the franchise.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
Lots of memories from that special day and a high-quality (and sentimental) product that beautifully preserves every fine line and fingerprint.
4 Fun Giant Kick Croquet
If the grandparents are sporty or have a yard, this set of kick croquet is the perfect family-friendly addition to their lives.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
These include planks, crunches, reverse crunches, sit-ups, hanging knee raises, mountain climbers, scissor kicks, leg raises and bicycle kicks.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
At worst, Tracy will be a replacement for Ray Ray McCloud who can return kicks and punts—both vital roles in the modern game, especially with the new kickoff rules.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
The hackers and programmers of 4Chan were out for kicks.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to kick
Dictionary Entries Near kick
Cite this Entry
“Kick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kick
1 of 2 verb1
: to strike out or hit with the foot
2
: to object strongly : protest
kicked about their low grades
3
: to spring back
a shotgun kicks when fired
4
: to be full of pep and energy
still alive and kicking
5
: to score by kicking a ball
kick a field goal
6
slang
: to free oneself of
kick the habit
kicker
noun
kick
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a blow with the foot
b
: the movement of the legs in swimming
2
a
: a sudden moving (as of a ball) with the foot
b
: the sudden move backward of a gun when fired
3
: a feeling of or cause for objection
4
: a feeling or source of pleasure
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