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
Synonyms
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
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
As for today’s pro game, Hester appreciates the NFL’s new kickoff return rules that allows a returner to get a running head start on special team possessions.
—Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
December is here, which means a lot of hot cocoa and holiday specials to kick off the season.
—Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickoff 
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Noun
The Saints tied the score with a touchdown and two-point conversion but rookie Jordan Whittington’s 43-yard kickoff return set up a drive that Stafford capped with a touchdown pass to Nacua.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
As for today’s pro game, Hester appreciates the NFL’s new kickoff return rules that allows a returner to get a running head start on special team possessions.
—Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
Anderson is being lauded with awards buzz and, to kick off the season, host Simon Rex presented her with the Performance Award to celebrate a moment in Anderson’s career she’s been waiting a long, long time for.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
December is here, which means a lot of hot cocoa and holiday specials to kick off the season.
—Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickoff
Articles Related to kickoff
Dictionary Entries Near kickoff
Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
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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