1
: a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
the opening kickoff
2
: the start of something : commencement
the campaign kickoff
kicked off; kicking off; kicks off
1
: to start or resume play in football by a placekick
2
a
: to initiate proceedings
b
: to start out : begin
the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
3
slang
: die
: to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign
Examples of kickoff in a Sentence
Noun
At his campaign kickoff, the senator gave a passionate speech about combating poverty.
His speech marked the kickoff of his campaign.
Verb
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question.
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Recent Examples on the Web
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
This proposal would change how teams line up on the restraining line, which would change the blocking setup on kickoff returns.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Organizers kicked off with a mix of crowd engagement singing and chants.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
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Noun
The date and kickoff time for the Rams’ season opener in Australia is set.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
This proposal would change how teams line up on the restraining line, which would change the blocking setup on kickoff returns.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
But Foster scored seven straight points for Duke from there, kicking off the Blue Devils’ comeback.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Organizers kicked off with a mix of crowd engagement singing and chants.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kickoff
1 of 2 noun
kick·off
ˈkik-ˌȯf 
: a kick that puts the ball into play (as in soccer or football)
kick off
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)kik-ˈȯf
1
: to make a kickoff
2
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