kick in
verb
kicked in; kicking in; kicks in
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
The slower speed limit kicks in 30 minutes before a school’s arrival time.
—
Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Plants are also less stressed when divided in the spring because their roots can establish before hotter temperatures kick in.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Standing starts off the grid required a tricky procedure in testing because the hybrid system doesn’t kick in until 50 kph (31 mph).
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Right now, tree pollen, especially oak, elm and ash have kicked in and are at high or very high levels when combined.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick in
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Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Plants are also less stressed when divided in the spring because their roots can establish before hotter temperatures kick in.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Standing starts off the grid required a tricky procedure in testing because the hybrid system doesn’t kick in until 50 kph (31 mph).
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Right now, tree pollen, especially oak, elm and ash have kicked in and are at high or very high levels when combined.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kick in
Cite this Entry
“Kick in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick%20in. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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