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

• amp (up)
• animate
• brace
• energize
• enliven
• fillip
• fire
• ginger (up)
• invigorate
• jazz (up)
• juice up
• liven (up)
• pep (up)
• quicken
• spike
• stimulate
• vitalize
• vivify
• zip (up)

Examples of jump-start in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Boost uranium mining The president’s orders also aim to jump-start the mining of uranium in the U.S. and expand domestic uranium enrichment capacity, the official said. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 May 2025

However, Aaron Nesmith got Indiana jump-started with some 3-pointers. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025

The arrival of railroads, leisure travel and air-conditioning jump-started the Sunshine State ahead of the 1971 arrival of Walt Disney World. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025

Almost a decade later, in 2018, lawmakers jump-started the program after still more landslide deaths. —Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 21 May 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