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

Receiver Pat Bryant had a false start that stalled momentum. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025

To start the second half, Jennings immediately committed a false start. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025

Redshirt junior right guard Roger Carreon was called for one false start penalty on Saturday, while redshirt junior right tackle Daylon Metoyer was flagged for two. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025

When the offensive line got off to a rocky start, committing a false start and two holding penalties in the first quarter, Manning didn’t force the ball downfield or into coverage in hopes of making a play. —Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

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