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

The Scoop Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange has revamped derivatives trading rules in a bid to attract more foreign investors and increase liquidity, as the bourse looks to kick-start trading activity in the wake of the Iran war. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

His mother, Alberta Wright, owned a vintage clothing store called Jezebel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and Michael credits her with kick-starting his career. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Her series kick-started a wave of creators on both TikTok and Instagram centering their content on living life alone. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

The vote effectively kick-starts a project that would build a new home for the Major League Baseball team and transform a historic district near downtown Kansas City. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

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