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 Chiefs took it all the way down to the Broncos’ goal line, but after a Chiefs go-ahead score was called back because of a false start, Denver sacked Patrick Mahomes to end the football game. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Washington faced a third and one on its opening drive but committed back-to-back false start penalties. — Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

However, a false start penalty on right tackle Jaylon Moore moved Kansas City backward. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Officials missed an apparent false start on the Browns when Watson found Fannin for the big gain. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 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