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

Apple is trying to jump-start AirPods sales after a few soft years. —Kif Leswing, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2024

For instance, parent Alphabet is a founding member of Frontier, the corporate consortium contracting with startups to jump-start removal. —Ben Geman, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024

However, jump-starting construction is key to getting the industry back to those healthier levels, experts say. —Andrea Riquier, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2024

The first, jump-started by an electric return from Zachariah Branch, stalled at the five-yard line and resulted in a field goal. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1