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
The Dodgers took full advantage of the Padres’ defensive mistakes to jump-start their offense.
—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
Brown was attempting to jump-start a vehicle in his family barn in Chaptico when a fire broke out the night of February 24.
—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
25 June 2026
In that spirit, to jump-start that process, The Athletic caught up with Dybantsa for a one-on-one interview after he was picked.
—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Muscle mass is beneficial, too, for lifelong metabolic health, and resistance exercise probably improves brain health by releasing substances into the bloodstream that travel to the brain and jump-start processes there that help keep it youthful.
—
Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for jump-start
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
Brown was attempting to jump-start a vehicle in his family barn in Chaptico when a fire broke out the night of February 24.
—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
25 June 2026
In that spirit, to jump-start that process, The Athletic caught up with Dybantsa for a one-on-one interview after he was picked.
—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Muscle mass is beneficial, too, for lifelong metabolic health, and resistance exercise probably improves brain health by releasing substances into the bloodstream that travel to the brain and jump-start processes there that help keep it youthful.
—
Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 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 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
