jump-start

verb

ˈjəmp-ˈstärt 

jump-started; jump-starting; jump-starts

transitive verb

1

: to start (an engine or vehicle) by temporary connection to an external power source (such as another vehicle's battery)

2

a

: to start or restart (something) rapidly or forcefully

advertising can jump-start a political campaign

b

: to impart fresh or renewed energy to (something) : energize

a plan to jump-start the stagnant economy

jump start noun

Synonyms

• amp (up)
• animate
• brace
• energize
• enliven
• fillip
• fire
• ginger (up)
• invigorate
• jazz (up)
• juice up
• liven (up)
• pep (up)
• quicken
• spike
• stimulate
• vitalize
• vivify
• zip (up)

Examples of jump-start in a Sentence

an intentionally provocative comment that was supposed to jump-start the discussion

Recent Examples on the Web

This funding covered essential expenses like product manufacturing and jump-started my sales by getting products into the hands of early adopters. —Dr. Jenny Woo, Contributor, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025

Robert jump-started the Sox offense Monday against the Athletics, hitting a home run in the first inning. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

Earlier in the week, another Texas company scored a successful landing under NASA’s commercial lunar delivery program, intended to jump-start business on the moon while preparing for astronauts’ return. —Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025

That massive impact could have played a role in jump-starting life. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for jump-start

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart