kick
noun
1
a
: a blow or sudden forceful thrust with the foot
specifically
: a sudden propelling of a ball with the foot
b
: the power to kick
c
: a rhythmic motion of the legs used in swimming
d
: a burst of speed in racing
2
: a sudden forceful jolt or thrust suggesting a kick
especially
: the recoil of a gun
4
a
: a feeling or expression of opposition or objection
a kick against the administration
b
: the grounds for objection
5
a
: a powerful or forceful effect
chili with a kick
b
: a stimulating or pleasurable effect or experience
—often used in the phrases get a kick out of and (just) for kicks
… we just got a big kick out of seeing our names in the paper—
Joel Stein
Joel SteinShe plays golf just for kicks [=for fun].
c
: pursuit of an absorbing or obsessive new interest
—usually used with on
"… I'll get on a kick though where I can't get enough of something, and it'll show up in everything. … "—Danny Markowicz
Danny MarkowiczIf you're on a post-Christmas health kick, there are plenty of seasonal vegetables to keep you going …—Caroline Lindsay
Caroline Lindsay6
7
kicks plural, US slang
: shoes or sneakers
… nothing draws more attention to a rare pair of kicks than the cuffed hem of slim sweats.—Steve Dool
Steve DoolExamples of kick in a Sentence
He gave me a kick in the leg.
If you give the machine a little kick, it should start working again.
a long kick in football
Recent Examples on the Web
Mitch McCarthy boomed a high kick 55 yards, sending Toney backpedaling 15 yards near the right sidelines inside the Miami 5 to field the punt.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 28 May 2026
With this rollout, On has artfully upgraded the kick’s Cloud 5 predecessor — creating a more inclusive fit in the toe box, which is a win for all wide-footed athletes.
—Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
Vasquez is healthy and eager to be the one passing runners with his late kick on Friday and Saturday night.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Their kicks are being tracked daily, and each kick has a place in the final analysis.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick
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Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 28 May 2026
With this rollout, On has artfully upgraded the kick’s Cloud 5 predecessor — creating a more inclusive fit in the toe box, which is a win for all wide-footed athletes.
—Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
Vasquez is healthy and eager to be the one passing runners with his late kick on Friday and Saturday night.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Their kicks are being tracked daily, and each kick has a place in the final analysis.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick
Cite this Entry
“Kick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kick
1 of 2 verb
1
: to strike out or hit with the foot
2
: to object strongly : protest
kicked about their low grades
3
: to spring back
a shotgun kicks when fired
4
: to be full of pep and energy
still alive and kicking
5
: to score by kicking a ball
kick a field goal
6
slang
: to free oneself of
kick the habit
kicker
noun
kick
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a blow with the foot
b
: the movement of the legs in swimming
2
a
: a sudden moving (as of a ball) with the foot
b
: the sudden move backward of a gun when fired
3
: a feeling of or cause for objection
4
: a feeling or source of pleasure
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