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

see also for starters

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

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 game hit a bit of an offensive lull as foul trouble sent UConn’s starters to the bench. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Feb. 2026

When Tarasenko banked a shot off the far post and in, that was all for Oilers’ starter Tristan Jarry, who was lifted after 15 saves on 20 shots. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Cohoon likes to keep a caddy full of starter essentials. —Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

For some candidates, that’s a non-starter. —Mike Straw, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for starter

• arter
• barter
• charter
• darter
• garter
• martyr
• smarter
• tartar

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