false start

noun

1
: a premature start (as of a race or football play)
2
: an unsuccessful attempt to begin something (such as a career)

Examples of false start in a Sentence

If someone makes a false start, the race is immediately stopped and the runners have to start again. After several false starts, the researchers were finally able to identify the virus causing the epidemic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Broncos ball inside the Seattle 10-yard line, but a false start moves them back right off the bat. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2024 The Jets committed five false start penalties in a loss to the Denver Broncos. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 9 Oct. 2024 The offense was flagged for five pre-snap false start penalties. Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2024 The away fans helped force four false start penalties on the Chargers in the first half. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for false start 

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of false start was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near false start

Cite this Entry

“False start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20start. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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