kick

verb

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\ ˈkik

kicked; kicking; kicks

Definition of kick

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to strike out with the foot or feet

b : to make a kick in football

2a : to show opposition : resist, rebel

b : to protest strenuously or urgently : express grave discontent broadly : complain

3 : to function with vitality and energy alive and kicking

4 of a firearm : to recoil when fired

5 : to go from one place to another as circumstance or whim dictates

6 : to run at a faster speed during the last part of a race

transitive verb

1a : to strike, thrust, or hit with the foot

b : to strike suddenly and forcefully as if with the foot

c : to remove by a kicking motion kicked off her shoes

d : to remove from a position or status kicked him off the team

2 : to score by kicking a ball

3 : to heap reproaches upon (oneself) kicked themselves for not going

4 : to free oneself of (something, such as a drug habit)

kick ass

often vulgar : to kick butt

kick butt

: to use forceful or coercive measures in order to achieve a purpose also : to succeed or win overwhelmingly

kick over the traces

: to cast off restraint, authority, or control

kick the bucket

: die

kick up one's heels

1 : to show sudden delight

2 : to have a lively time

kick upstairs

: to promote to a higher but less desirable position

kick

noun

Definition of kick (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a blow or sudden forceful thrust with the foot specifically : a sudden propelling of a ball with the foot

b : the power to kick

c : a rhythmic motion of the legs used in swimming

d : a burst of speed in racing

2 : a sudden forceful jolt or thrust suggesting a kick especially : the recoil of a gun

3 : pocket, wallet

4a : a feeling or expression of opposition or objection a kick against the administration

b : the grounds for objection

5a : a powerful or foreceful effect chili with a kick

b : a stimulating or pleasurable effect or experience —often used in the phrases get a kick out of and (just) for kicks … we just got a big kick out of seeing our names in the paper— Joel Stein She plays golf just for kicks [=for fun].

c : pursuit of an absorbing or obsessive new interest —usually used with on "… I'll get on a kick though where I can't get enough of something, and it'll show up in everything. … "— Danny Markowicz If you're on a post-Christmas health kick, there are plenty of seasonal vegetables to keep you going …— Caroline Lindsay

6 : kicker sense 2

7 kicks plural, US slang : shoes or sneakers … nothing draws more attention to a rare pair of kicks than the cuffed hem of slim sweats.— Steve Dool

Other Words from kick Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about kick

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Examples of kick in a Sentence

Verb The attacker kicked him in the stomach. She lost her temper and kicked over the box. He kicked the ball into the goal. She kicked the ball to me. The policeman kicked the door open. The baby kicked his legs in the air. The swimming instructor reminded the children to kick their legs as they swam. The baby kicked with pleasure. He kicked the winning field goal. When he was 25, he kicked his cocaine habit and went back to school. Noun He gave me a kick in the leg. If you give the machine a little kick, it should start working again. a long kick in football

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The annual SharonFest, kicking off July 28, is a party with a purpose. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, "SharonFest 2017, the party with a purpose, kicks off July 28," 20 July 2017 Indianapolis kicks off its four-game preseason schedule on Aug. 13 against the Detroit Lions. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Ryan Kelly looking forward to second NFL season at center of Indianapolis Colts' offensive line," 18 July 2017 That would explain why Peter Dinklage kicked off this season in total silence. — Joanna Robinson, HWD, "Game of Thrones Showrunners Explain Daenerys’s Odd, Silent Arrival," 16 July 2017 FCKC ORL Shots 7 25 Shots on goal 3 11 Saves 7 2 Corner kicks3 8 Fouls 5 10 Offsides 3 0 YELLOW CARDS Kansas City: Gibbons, 88th. — kansascity, "FC Kansas City summary for July 15," 15 July 2017 Moving the cattle somewhere else to avoid conflict if wolves show up — or kicking them off the national forest altogether, as some critics would like — isn’t so simple. — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "With cattle in Washington’s wolf country, ranchers work and worry," 14 July 2017 On a makeshift kickball field on the National Mall, Jacquelyn Keenan cheered as one of her teammates kicked a rubber ball into the air and sprinted for first base. — Jim Rendon, New York Times, "In Social Sports, It’s About Camaraderie, Not Competition," 14 July 2017 Baseball's annual swap-o-rama got underway Thursday as the Cubs and White Sox kicked off the traditional shuffling of prospects for potential game-changers. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Buyers, sellers and more: What to watch for in second half of MLB season," 13 July 2017 Others pointed out that members of Congress have been scolded too, as when Representative Bobby Rush was kicked off the floor for wearing a hoodie to honor Trayvon Martin. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, "Why Bogus News Stories Are So Hard to Stop," 13 July 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The Bengals, despite their league-worst 2-14 record, finished in the top 10 in the NFL in both kick- and punt-return average allowed and were second in the NFL in kick-return average. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Why Detroit Lions hired 33-year-old Brayden Coombs to run special teams," 11 Jan. 2020 In two years at Florida State, Harrison collected 37 receptions for 355 yards and three touchdowns with an additional 174 yards on nine kick returns (19.3 yards per return). — oregonlive, "Tre’Shaun Harrison, Florida State WR transfer, took Oregon State Beavers visit last weekend," 7 Jan. 2020 Mecole Hardman grabbed the momentum right back with a 104-yard kick return for a touchdown. — Los Angeles Times, "Chargers don’t need to get sexy, they need to get better. Here’s how they do it," 1 Jan. 2020 An interception return by Woods and a 90-yard kick return by Davis gave Taylor a 14-0 lead before the offense ran a play. — Jack Marrion, Houston Chronicle, "Katy Taylor football finishes as state semifinalist," 16 Dec. 2019 The senior co-captain had 25 total touchdowns (20 rushing, three receiving and two kick returns) for the unbeaten Red Raiders in 2019, rushing for 1,034 yards on just 83 carries. — BostonGlobe.com, "Even Chris Cusolito’s absence can’t stop Melrose’s run - The Boston Globe," 8 Dec. 2019 After Richard replaced him at kick return Sunday, Davis continued to return punts against the Chiefs. — Matt Kawahara, SFChronicle.com, "Raiders waive Trevor Davis, activate Marquel Lee from IR," 2 Dec. 2019 Ex-Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels, 32, from Rochester has landed with the Miami Dolphins and is averaging 19 yards per kick return and 5.3 on punt returns. — Charley Walters, Twin Cities, "Charley Walters: Vikings need three wins to make playoffs," 30 Nov. 2019 Some of Leake’s career highs include 158 rushing yards against Indiana on Oct. 19, three rushing touchdowns against Illinois on Oct. 27, 2018, and 164 kick return yards against Ohio State on Nov. 9, but that’s probably not the point. — Edward Lee, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland’s Javon Leake eager to prove his three fumbles Saturday were a fluke: ‘I know I’m better than that’," 27 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.