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

Keep reading to learn more, then add to cart to get a head start on fall! — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

The Wegovy pill has a head start, and that was evident in Lilly's latest earnings report. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

Those are not trivial, and China’s head start on deployment data compounds over time. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

For the smoothest shake, soak the dates in hot water for 10 minutes before blending and give the ice cubes a few quick pulses to give them a head start. — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 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