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

The Redhawks lost 5 yards for a false start before scoring on a trick play — wide receiver Scoop Smith 15-yard toss to Maleek Huggins — to cut it to 17-7 at halftime. — ABC News, 11 Nov. 2026

Center Aaron Brewer was called for holding, right tackle Austin Jackson had a false start, tight end Will Kacmarek was called for holding, and Jackson was called for a holding penalty late in the second quarter. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

The Horned Frogs marched to the Arizona 29-yard line, but team captain Ben Taylor-Whitfield was flagged for a false start and TCU ultimately settled for a 50-yard field goal attempt by Lemmermann that was blocked. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2026

Kelce was penalized for a false start on Sunday, and the Chiefs ended up punting on that drive. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 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