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

took some extra classes to get a head start in college

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

Good genes and good luck certainly can give you a head start. —Dr. Howard Tucker, CNBC, 10 May 2026

Amazon’s fashion department is already overflowing with breezy fashion — get a head start on a summer closet refresh. —Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026

In recent years, the state’s Republican leader has argued that the College Board’s AP courses — long a popular way for Florida high school students to get a head start on their college course load — tilt to the political left. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026

Without further ado, scroll below to find the best outdoor furniture sales and get a head start on revamping your backyard oasis. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for head start

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart

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