kickoff

1 of 2

noun

kick·​off ˈkik-ˌȯf How to pronounce kickoff (audio)
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

kick off

2 of 2

verb

kicked off; kicking off; kicks off

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

: 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Detroit has only attempted six kickoff returns, but is averaging 35.5 yards per attempt — highlighted by a 72-yard return from cornerback Khalil Dorsey. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 There were only four kickoff returns for touchdowns last season, six in 2022 and nine in 2021. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
Following the drama’s first season success, Netflix dropped Squid Game: The Challenge while kicking off a touring activation called Squid Game: The Experience and a VR adventure called Squid Game: Virtuals. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024 This year was no different, with photos of celebrity costumes filling up Instagram feeds as early as last weekend, which was when many kicked off pre-Halloween celebrations. Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kickoff 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1857, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kickoff was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near kickoff

Cite this Entry

“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

kickoff

1 of 2 noun
kick·​off ˈkik-ˌȯf How to pronounce kickoff (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on kickoff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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