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

All five starters for Denver scored in double figures, and the team shot 56.4 percent from the field. —Zach Harper, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025

Guard Preston Morel, one of three sophomore starters for Beebe, led Aurora Christian’s offense with 24 points. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Each member of the starting lineup is averaging more than 11.8 points, and with its sixth game of each starter scoring at least 10 points in that win against USC, the team broke a tie with Kentucky for the most such performances among teams from power conferences. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2025

State of play: The Browns' uncertainty at quarterback increased last month after starter Deshaun Watson reinjured his Achilles and may not be ready to play next season. —Troy Smith, Axios, 25 Feb. 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