kick in

verb

kicked in; kicking in; kicks in

intransitive verb

1
: to begin operating or having an effect : get started
waiting for the heater to kick in
2
: to make a contribution
3
slang : die

Examples of kick in in a Sentence

if everyone in the department kicks in, we can give him an especially nice present for his retirement the ornery cuss finally kicked in at the ripe old age of 90
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.
Over the last 15 years, 23 players have kicked in at least 50 points at age 37 or beyond, including six last season. Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 19 June 2025 The new pay package will kick in only if the split occurs by the end of next year. Chris Morris, Fortune, 18 June 2025 In Juneau, advisories will kick in when the temperature is forecast for 80 degrees or higher. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 June 2025 When the track properly kicks in, the drums, guitar strums, bassline, and vocals all receive plenty of attention and none is eclipsed by the others, though the vocals do sit just slightly in the background against the cymbals and bass. PC Magazine, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for kick in

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of kick in was in 1906

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kick in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick%20in. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

kick in

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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