starter

1 of 2

noun

start·​er ˈstär-tər 

1

: a person who initiates or sets going: such as

a

: an official who gives the signal to begin a race

b

: one who dispatches vehicles

2

a

: one that engages in a competition

especially : a member of a starting lineup

b

: one that begins to engage in an activity or process

3

: one that causes something to begin operating: such as

a

: a device for starting an engine

especially : an electric motor used to start an internal combustion engine

b

: material containing microorganisms (such as yeast) used to induce a desired fermentation

4

: something that is the beginning of a process, activity, or series

especially : appetizer

starter

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being an item acquired with the expectation that a more elaborate or sophisticated model will be acquired in the future

a starter home

Phrases

for starters

: to begin with

Examples of starter in a Sentence

Noun

The team is playing only five regular starters.

The car's starter needs to be replaced.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Red Sox biggest individual needs are a front-of-the-rotation starter and a big, right-handed bat. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024

For starters, in-store shopping has seen an uptick. —Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 20 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Lawrence went on to star in number of box office successes, including The Hunger Games, Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle; her parents sold her starter home 10 years later, for $1.15 million in 2016. —Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 19 Dec. 2024

About 42% of properties in the area are starter homes. —Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing starter

• kick-starter
• self-starter
• starter home/house
• starter kit

Kids Definition

starter

noun

start·​er

ˈstärt-ər

: someone or something that starts something or causes something else to start

the starter of a motor