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

• 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

Do-it yourselfers can discover details like to what air pressure should the tires be inflated, the length of replacement windshield wipers, which grade of fuel to use, how to check the engine oil and what type to use, how to properly jump-start a vehicle and much more. —Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Duff was only a teenager when the iconic track landed on her sophomore album Metamorphosis, which effectively jump-started a music career that spanned four studio albums. —Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025

While campaigning for the office, Newsom pledged to jump-start housing construction and reduce the state’s large population of homeless people. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025

Turn them into a breakfast that jump-starts your day and cuts down on food waste. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025

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