1
: a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
the opening kickoff
2
: the start of something : commencement
the campaign kickoff
kicked off; kicking off; kicks off
1
: to start or resume play in football by a placekick
2
a
: to initiate proceedings
b
: to start out : begin
the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
3
slang
: die
: to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign
Examples of kickoff in a Sentence
Noun
At his campaign kickoff, the senator gave a passionate speech about combating poverty.
His speech marked the kickoff of his campaign.
Verb
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question.
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Recent Examples on the Web
Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
This partnership arrives at a critical moment, as the kickoff of festival season coincides with growing awareness about hearing health and the need for protective measures that don't compromise the immersive musical experience that defines Coachella.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Earlier in the night, the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks kicked off Tuesday’s action, with the Pacers cruising to a 2-0 series lead thanks to their 123-115 win.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
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Noun
Friday’s Revere tribute serves as an unofficial kickoff, tying 1775 to 2025.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
This partnership arrives at a critical moment, as the kickoff of festival season coincides with growing awareness about hearing health and the need for protective measures that don't compromise the immersive musical experience that defines Coachella.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Durbin's announcement also kicks off a competitive race among Illinois Democrats seeking to succeed him in the Senate.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Earlier in the night, the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks kicked off Tuesday’s action, with the Pacers cruising to a 2-0 series lead thanks to their 123-115 win.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kickoff
1 of 2 noun
kick·off
ˈkik-ˌȯf 
: a kick that puts the ball into play (as in soccer or football)
kick off
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)kik-ˈȯf
1
: to make a kickoff
2
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