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

When the team mixed and matched starters with reserves, they were crushed by Milwaukee. —Tony East, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers, projected to be the team’s No. 2 starter behind returning ace Sandy Alcantara, sustained a left forearm strain and will begin the season on the injured list. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news When athletes line up at the start of a race, the crowd often hushes in anticipation until the quiet is broken by the crack of a starter pistol. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025

With New York Yankees ace and 2023 Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole sidelined for the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last week, the No. 1 starter role as the team attempts to repeat as American League champions falls to their offseason's most expensive acquisition. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 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

Rhymes for starter

• arter
• barter
• charter
• darter
• garter
• martyr
• smarter
• tartar

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