head start

noun

1
: an advantage granted or achieved at the beginning of a race, a chase, or a competition
a 10-minute head start
2
: a favorable or promising beginning

Examples of head start in a Sentence

They gave me a five-minute head start. She took some extra classes to get a head start in her career. His natural athletic talent gave him a head start on his peers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mayfield, remember, has a five-year head start on his pro career. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2025 Its success nudged competitors to make their own EVs more enticing, and Tesla capitalized on its head start, continuing to develop its tech and create new cars, including 2017’s Model 3, which also made TIME’s list. Merrill Fabry, Time, 9 Oct. 2025 This is the perfect opportunity for shoppers to avoid the rush and get a head start on their holiday gift shopping. Christine Persaud, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025 Plus, get a head start on holiday shopping with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and the Lego Classic Vibrant Creative Brick Box Set. Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for head start

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of head start was in 1859

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Head start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head%20start. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

head start

noun
1
: an advantage given to a contestant at the beginning of a race
a five-minute head start
2
: a favorable or promising beginning

More from Merriam-Webster on head start

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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