kick-start

verb

ˈkik-ˌstärt 

kick-started; kick-starting; kick-starts

transitive verb

1

: to start (something, such as a motorcycle) by means of a kick-starter

2

: jump-start sense 2

kick start noun

Examples of kick-start in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Starbucks will launch protein cold foam late in the fourth quarter, part of its push to kick-start sales after a stretch of financial results that has disappointed Wall Street. —Kate Rogers, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025

And at some point, a lower base rate could improve the mortgage offers made to would-be buyers and kick-start activity in the sector. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025

Even though Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History purchased Sue and still has it on display, the pooling together of private funds led to its acquisition and kick-started the era of big-ticket fossil auctions. —Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025

Thanks to the State of Home Cooking report, Bryan was able to kick-start her sparkly menu redesign by listening to feedback from HelloFresh customers. —Betty Gold Kider, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for kick-start

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart