kick-start

verb

ˈkik-ˌstärt 

kick-started; kick-starting; kick-starts

transitive verb

1

: to start (something, such as a motorcycle) by means of a kick-starter

2

: jump-start sense 2

kick start noun

Examples of kick-start in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The free preview party Monday night will kick-start festival buzz and give attendees a broad overview of the festival’s schedule, offerings and structure. —Danielle Charbonneau, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026

Often, such acclaim is considered only for ‘big’ clubs — Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and their possession game, or how Jurgen Klopp kick-started the modern pressing movement at Liverpool. —Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026

Marino, who hails from Como, Italy, kick-started her career with Remo Ruffini on his New England brand in the Eighties and also worked with Tod’s Group in the past, among others. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025

The worry is that the central bank will intervene by increasing the money supply—kick-starting an inflationary cycle—but that ultimately the government may have to cut back on spending. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for kick-start

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart