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kick in

verb

kicked in; kicking in; kicks in

intransitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But after the water underwent typical treatment and filtering, the level fell under the new federal safety limit, which isn't scheduled to kick in until 2029. NPR, 30 Nov. 2025 Most projections show an increase in the uninsured rate next year, unless Congress acts to extend higher subsidies for people who buy on the individual marketplace, with more losing coverage in 2027 as stricter Medicaid eligibility rules kick in. Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025 When the promotion ends, interest kicks in – but only on the debt that remains on the card. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025 Gay has never kicked in Cleveland in his 101-game, seven-year career. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kick in

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of kick in was in 1906

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Cite this Entry

“Kick in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick%20in. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

kick in

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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