false start

noun

1

: a premature start (as of a race or football play)

2

: an unsuccessful attempt to begin something (such as a career)

Examples of false start in a Sentence

If someone makes a false start, the race is immediately stopped and the runners have to start again.

After several false starts, the researchers were finally able to identify the virus causing the epidemic.

Recent Examples on the Web

After false start moved the ball back to the 19, the Rams (1-2) sent out five receivers but Hufanga secured his second interception, this one in the end zone. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

After an incomplete pass, the Cowboys were called for a false start, which backed them up to the 7. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Iowa lined up to go for it on fourth down at the Michigan 28 late in the game and left guard Leighton Jones was flagged for a false start. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026

The 49ers opened the game with a false start on the first snap, then followed with an incompletion and a 3-yard run. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for false start

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