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

And how much can Henderson help jump-start a sluggish offense? —Chad Graff, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Manufacturing limitations President Donald Trump has tried to jump-start domestic manufacturing by imposing sweeping tariffs, but experts have long warned of the U.S.’s production limitations. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025

Biden put these requirements in place in an attempt to jump-start the implementation of new quantum-resistant algorithms under development by NIST. —ArsTechnica, 17 June 2025

Early last season, in a successful attempt to jump-start Crosby after the Penguins captain endured a sluggish start, the Penguins placed Malkin on his left wing. —Josh Yohe, New York Times, 16 June 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