1
: a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
the opening kickoff
2
: the start of something : commencement
the campaign kickoff
kicked off; kicking off; kicks off
1
: to start or resume play in football by a placekick
2
a
: to initiate proceedings
b
: to start out : begin
the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
3
slang
: die
: to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign
Synonyms
Examples of kickoff in a Sentence
Noun
At his campaign kickoff, the senator gave a passionate speech about combating poverty.
His speech marked the kickoff of his campaign.
Verb
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question.
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Recent Examples on the Web
Rob Reischel, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
There were only four kickoff returns for touchdowns last season, six in 2022 and nine in 2021.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2024
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
This year was no different, with photos of celebrity costumes filling up Instagram feeds as early as last weekend, which was when many kicked off pre-Halloween celebrations.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickoff 
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Noun
Detroit has only attempted six kickoff returns, but is averaging 35.5 yards per attempt — highlighted by a 72-yard return from cornerback Khalil Dorsey.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
There were only four kickoff returns for touchdowns last season, six in 2022 and nine in 2021.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
Following the drama’s first season success, Netflix dropped Squid Game: The Challenge while kicking off a touring activation called Squid Game: The Experience and a VR adventure called Squid Game: Virtuals.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
This year was no different, with photos of celebrity costumes filling up Instagram feeds as early as last weekend, which was when many kicked off pre-Halloween celebrations.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickoff
Articles Related to kickoff
Dictionary Entries Near kickoff
Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kickoff
1 of 2 noun
kick·off
ˈkik-ˌȯf 
: a kick that puts the ball into play (as in soccer or football)
kick off
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)kik-ˈȯf
1
: to make a kickoff
2
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