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

Seals has attempted just six passes this season, but has plenty of experience as a starter from his time at Vanderbilt. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Dec. 2025

For starters, don’t explain your issue. —Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Adjective

Mendoza ultimately became the starter midway through his redshirt freshman season in 2023, starting eight of the Golden Bears’ final nine games. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025

Adopters will also receive a new Pet Parent Kit, which includes a starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet, a coupon and post-adoption tips, according to Hill’s. —Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 11 Dec. 2025

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