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 Patriots were aided by a false start after a Chargers first down. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

The Packers drove to the Bears’ 23 on their final possession, but offensive lineman Rasheed Walker was called for a false start before Love threw two incomplete passes. —Jay Cohen, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026

Miami had three false start penalties, giving them 25 for the year (top five in the country). —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

The Mustangs made it out of the airport before Arizona, but had the equivalent of a false start getting to Harbor Drive. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 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