starter

1 of 2

noun

start·​er ˈstär-tər 

1

: a person who initiates or sets going: such as

a

: an official who gives the signal to begin a race

b

: one who dispatches vehicles

2

a

: one that engages in a competition

especially : a member of a starting lineup

b

: one that begins to engage in an activity or process

3

: one that causes something to begin operating: such as

a

: a device for starting an engine

especially : an electric motor used to start an internal combustion engine

b

: material containing microorganisms (such as yeast) used to induce a desired fermentation

4

: something that is the beginning of a process, activity, or series

especially : appetizer

starter

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being an item acquired with the expectation that a more elaborate or sophisticated model will be acquired in the future

a starter home

Phrases

for starters

: to begin with

Examples of starter in a Sentence

Noun

The team is playing only five regular starters.

The car's starter needs to be replaced.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Horton, a leading candidate for NL Rookie of the Year, emerged as the team’s best starter with a dominant second half. —Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025

The bigger issue is the Texas A&M defense, which was assaulted by a Notre Dame offense still figuring it out with a first-year starter at quarterback. —Matt Hayes, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2025

Adjective

The four-run seventh and strong work from starter Jack Flaherty and a fleet of Tigers relievers sent them through to an ALDS matchup against the Seattle Mariners. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

Pair it with a personalized hair towel and a fragrance diffuser for the ultimate self-care starter pack. —Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing starter

• kick-starter
• self-starter
• starter home/house
• starter kit

Rhymes for starter

• arter
• barter
• charter
• darter
• garter
• martyr
• smarter
• tartar

Kids Definition

starter

noun

start·​er

ˈstärt-ər

: someone or something that starts something or causes something else to start

the starter of a motor