jump-start
verb
jump-started; jump-starting; jump-starts
1
: to start (an engine or vehicle) by temporary connection to an external power source (such as another vehicle's battery)
2
a
: to start or restart (something) rapidly or forcefully
advertising can jump-start a political campaign
b
: to impart fresh or renewed energy to (something) : energize
a plan to jump-start the stagnant economy
jump start
noun
Examples of jump-start in a Sentence
an intentionally provocative comment that was supposed to jump-start the discussion
Recent Examples on the Web
This battery charger can jump-start gas or diesel engines in seconds, so you’re never stuck with a dead battery far from help.
—
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
The company sponsors several local high schools and attends local job fairs to spread the word about opportunities to jump-start their careers.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The money is sorely needed to jump-start Hungary’s struggling economy, which has stagnated for the past four years.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Isaacman told dozens of international partners and space industry figures there that NASA was ready to jump-start its slow-going exploration of the moon and Mars.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for jump-start
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
The company sponsors several local high schools and attends local job fairs to spread the word about opportunities to jump-start their careers.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The money is sorely needed to jump-start Hungary’s struggling economy, which has stagnated for the past four years.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Isaacman told dozens of international partners and space industry figures there that NASA was ready to jump-start its slow-going exploration of the moon and Mars.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for jump-start
Cite this Entry
“Jump-start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump-start. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
