jump-start

verb

ˈjəmp-ˈstärt 

jump-started; jump-starting; jump-starts

transitive verb

1

: to start (an engine or vehicle) by temporary connection to an external power source (such as another vehicle's battery)

2

a

: to start or restart (something) rapidly or forcefully

advertising can jump-start a political campaign

b

: to impart fresh or renewed energy to (something) : energize

a plan to jump-start the stagnant economy

jump start noun

Synonyms of jump-start

• stimulate

Examples of jump-start in a Sentence

an intentionally provocative comment that was supposed to jump-start the discussion

Recent Examples on the Web

The case involved Vernon Hudson, who was driving westbound on I-290 in May 2001 on his way to help a friend jump-start his car, the Tribune reported at the time. —Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026

According to Brown's daughter, a fire broke out when the actor attempted to jump-start a vehicle in the barn, TMZ reported. —Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

According to family members, Brown entered a barn to jump-start a vehicle when a fire broke out. —Kennedy French, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026

That’s partially due to bandleader Caspian Honeywell’s time on the circuit in the defunct anarchist group Blackbird Raum, who jump-started the folk-punk movement almost 20 years ago. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for jump-start

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