kick in

verb

kicked in; kicking in; kicks in
Synonyms of kick innext

intransitive verb

1
: to begin operating or having an effect : get started
waiting for the heater to kick in
2
: to make a contribution
3
slang : die

Examples of kick in in a Sentence

if everyone in the department kicks in, we can give him an especially nice present for his retirement the ornery cuss finally kicked in at the ripe old age of 90
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The effects were fast, often kicking in within a week of the experiment and lasting up to 11 weeks. Julia Ries Wexler, Outside, 12 Mar. 2026 On March 18, Air India’s next phase kicks in. Medora Lee, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026 Fuel surcharges already kicking in Shipping rates are largely determined by diesel prices. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026 Patterson is 7 of 13 on such kicks in his career. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kick in

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of kick in was in 1906

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Cite this Entry

“Kick in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick%20in. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

kick in

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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