jump-start
verb
jump-started; jump-starting; jump-starts
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
Examples of jump-start in a Sentence
an intentionally provocative comment that was supposed to jump-start the discussion
Recent Examples on the Web
But this would seem to contradict the argument that moving city government into such a tower is necessary to jump-start vitality in the core — one of the principal arguments for ditching Pei’s building.
—
Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for jump-start
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Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for jump-start
Cite this Entry
“Jump-start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump-start. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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