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

Two running plays netted 1 yard, a false start penalty backed the Tigers up 5 yards, another running play lost three yards and, on fourth-and-goal at 17, another run lost 7 yards. —Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025

The Skippers then went for a two-point conversion after a false start packed them up. —Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2025

The Buckeyes were stuffed three straight times and had to settle for a field goal after a false start on 4th and 1. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025

Inside the 1-yard line with a golden opportunity to punch it in, a Tyler Guyton false start moved Dallas back five yards before Prescott left a pass short to Lamb that was picked off in the end zone by Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 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