kicked; kicking; kicks
1
a
: to strike out with the foot or feet
b
: to make a kick in football
2
3
: to function with vitality and energy
alive and kicking
4
of a firearm
: to recoil when fired
5
: to go from one place to another as circumstance or whim dictates
6
: to run at a faster speed during the last part of a race
1
a
: to strike, thrust, or hit with the foot
b
: to strike suddenly and forcefully as if with the foot
c
: to remove by a kicking motion
kicked off her shoes
d
: to remove from a position or status
kicked him off the team
see also kick to the curb
2
: to score by kicking a ball
3
: to heap reproaches upon (oneself)
kicked themselves for not going
4
: to free oneself of (something, such as a drug habit)
1
a
: a blow or sudden forceful thrust with the foot
specifically
: a sudden propelling of a ball with the foot
b
: the power to kick
c
: a rhythmic motion of the legs used in swimming
d
: a burst of speed in racing
2
: a sudden forceful jolt or thrust suggesting a kick
especially
: the recoil of a gun
4
a
: a feeling or expression of opposition or objection
a kick against the administration
b
: the grounds for objection
5
a
: a powerful or forceful effect
chili with a kick
b
: a stimulating or pleasurable effect or experience
—often used in the phrases get a kick out of and (just) for kicks
… we just got a big kick out of seeing our names in the paper—
Joel Stein
Joel SteinShe plays golf just for kicks [=for fun].
c
: pursuit of an absorbing or obsessive new interest
—usually used with on
"… I'll get on a kick though where I can't get enough of something, and it'll show up in everything. … "—Danny Markowicz
Danny MarkowiczIf you're on a post-Christmas health kick, there are plenty of seasonal vegetables to keep you going …—Caroline Lindsay
Caroline Lindsay6
7
kicks plural, US slang
: shoes or sneakers
… nothing draws more attention to a rare pair of kicks than the cuffed hem of slim sweats.—Steve Dool
Steve DoolSynonyms
Examples of kick in a Sentence
Verb
The attacker kicked him in the stomach.
She lost her temper and kicked over the box.
He kicked the ball into the goal.
She kicked the ball to me.
The policeman kicked the door open.
The baby kicked his legs in the air.
The swimming instructor reminded the children to kick their legs as they swam.
The baby kicked with pleasure.
He kicked the winning field goal.
When he was 25, he kicked his cocaine habit and went back to school.
Noun
He gave me a kick in the leg.
If you give the machine a little kick, it should start working again.
a long kick in football
Recent Examples on the WebJennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 20 July 2017
Indianapolis kicks off its four-game preseason schedule on Aug. 13 against the Detroit Lions.
—Mark Inabinett, AL.com, 18 July 2017
That would explain why Peter Dinklage kicked off this season in total silence.
—Joanna Robinson, HWD, 16 July 2017
FCKC ORL Shots 7 25 Shots on goal 3
11
Saves
7
2
Corner kicks3
8
Fouls
5
10
Offsides
3
0
YELLOW CARDS
Kansas City: Gibbons, 88th.
—kansascity, 15 July 2017
Moving the cattle somewhere else to avoid conflict if wolves show up — or kicking them off the national forest altogether, as some critics would like — isn’t so simple.
—Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, 14 July 2017
On a makeshift kickball field on the National Mall, Jacquelyn Keenan cheered as one of her teammates kicked a rubber ball into the air and sprinted for first base.
—Jim Rendon, New York Times, 14 July 2017
Baseball's annual swap-o-rama got underway Thursday as the Cubs and White Sox kicked off the traditional shuffling of prospects for potential game-changers.
—Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2017
Others pointed out that members of Congress have been scolded too, as when Representative Bobby Rush was kicked off the floor for wearing a hoodie to honor Trayvon Martin.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 13 July 2017
Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The extra-strong kick of flavor will be a welcome change from those milder green toppers.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
Her Tracy Anderson method routine includes a lot of glute work, squats, standing glute kickbacks, and side kicks; all fitness exercises are done with a wooden box that’s part of Anderson’s MyMode program setup.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
The deck is hard maple with a double kick tail and requires no assembly.
—Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024
Daniel Benson Sheer silk blouse; front kick skirt, both Givenchy.
—Martha Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024
Perfect for running and walking enthusiasts alike, the sporty kicks are strategically designed to propel you forward to put an extra pep in your step, all while absorbing shock, cradling your arches, and preventing fatigue.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Expect plenty of fights and brawls with punches, kicks, head-butts and stabbings.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
What ensues is part wannabe Western, part cartoonish punch-fest, as Dalton hits, kicks, and pummels any sleazy baddies who are unlucky enough to cross his path.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The annual SharonFest, kicking off July 28, is a party with a purpose.
—Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 20 July 2017
Indianapolis kicks off its four-game preseason schedule on Aug. 13 against the Detroit Lions.
—Mark Inabinett, AL.com, 18 July 2017
That would explain why Peter Dinklage kicked off this season in total silence.
—Joanna Robinson, HWD, 16 July 2017
FCKC ORL Shots 7 25 Shots on goal 3
11
Saves
7
2
Corner kicks3
8
Fouls
5
10
Offsides
3
0
YELLOW CARDS
Kansas City: Gibbons, 88th.
—kansascity, 15 July 2017
Moving the cattle somewhere else to avoid conflict if wolves show up — or kicking them off the national forest altogether, as some critics would like — isn’t so simple.
—Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, 14 July 2017
On a makeshift kickball field on the National Mall, Jacquelyn Keenan cheered as one of her teammates kicked a rubber ball into the air and sprinted for first base.
—Jim Rendon, New York Times, 14 July 2017
Baseball's annual swap-o-rama got underway Thursday as the Cubs and White Sox kicked off the traditional shuffling of prospects for potential game-changers.
—Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2017
Others pointed out that members of Congress have been scolded too, as when Representative Bobby Rush was kicked off the floor for wearing a hoodie to honor Trayvon Martin.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 13 July 2017
Noun
Also engrossing are the rich details of Chinese culture and traditions familiar to readers of Rozan’s Lydia Chin/Bill Smith mysteries, while the vivid action scenes feel as visceral as a Chow Yun-fat circular kick with double forearm strike.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The extra-strong kick of flavor will be a welcome change from those milder green toppers.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
Her Tracy Anderson method routine includes a lot of glute work, squats, standing glute kickbacks, and side kicks; all fitness exercises are done with a wooden box that’s part of Anderson’s MyMode program setup.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Mar. 2024
The deck is hard maple with a double kick tail and requires no assembly.
—Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024
Daniel Benson Sheer silk blouse; front kick skirt, both Givenchy.
—Martha Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024
Perfect for running and walking enthusiasts alike, the sporty kicks are strategically designed to propel you forward to put an extra pep in your step, all while absorbing shock, cradling your arches, and preventing fatigue.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Expect plenty of fights and brawls with punches, kicks, head-butts and stabbings.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
What ensues is part wannabe Western, part cartoonish punch-fest, as Dalton hits, kicks, and pummels any sleazy baddies who are unlucky enough to cross his path.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to kick
Dictionary Entries Near kick
Cite this Entry
“Kick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kick
1 of 2 verb1
: to strike out or hit with the foot
2
: to object strongly : protest
kicked about their low grades
3
: to spring back
a shotgun kicks when fired
4
: to be full of pep and energy
still alive and kicking
5
: to score by kicking a ball
kick a field goal
6
slang
: to free oneself of
kick the habit
kicker
noun
kick
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a blow with the foot
b
: the movement of the legs in swimming
2
a
: a sudden moving (as of a ball) with the foot
b
: the sudden move backward of a gun when fired
3
: a feeling of or cause for objection
4
: a feeling or source of pleasure
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