kick-start

verb

kick-started; kick-starting; kick-starts

transitive verb

1
: to start (something, such as a motorcycle) by means of a kick-starter
2
kick start noun

Examples of kick-start in a Sentence

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.
But isn’t Bondi the one who is supposed to end the weaponization, not kick-start it? New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025 Caldwell was initially escorted out of the Pentagon and put on administrative leave on Tuesday last week as part of an investigation into leaks at the department that was kick-started in March. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025 So perhaps the early universe had some other way of fashioning large black holes, kick-starting the process. Paul Sutter, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2025 Now Sidekick Jimmy, whose forced mid-season trade to Golden State kick-started the Warriors. Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kick-start

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kick-start was in 1928

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kick-start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick-start. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on kick-start

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