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

Officials threw a flag as Davis received the snap, indicating a false start penalty. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Morgan also had a false start penalty and was pulled for a brief stretch. —Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Although the play likely would’ve called back for a false start, Sheffield ran side-by-side the receiver, jumping and turning with outstretched arms at the perfect time to pull down the pick. —Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025

Earlier in the practice, Stidham’s group had a set of four plays that featured three false start penalties and a broken play after a quarterback/center exchange issue. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Aug. 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