1
: a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
the opening kickoff
2
: the start of something : commencement
the campaign kickoff
kicked off; kicking off; kicks off
1
: to start or resume play in football by a placekick
2
a
: to initiate proceedings
b
: to start out : begin
the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
3
slang
: die
: to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign
Examples of kickoff in a Sentence
Noun
At his campaign kickoff, the senator gave a passionate speech about combating poverty.
His speech marked the kickoff of his campaign.
Verb
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question.
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Wortham also had a 45-yard kickoff return.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Why Stonewall matters On June 28, 1969, a police raid at the Stonewall Inn kicked off a series of protests that ultimately turned into what’s now known as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
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Noun
Texas Tech recently banned the throwing of tortillas onto the field during kickoffs, a practice that stretches back decades.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Wortham also had a 45-yard kickoff return.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Halsey is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut album on her Back to Badlands tour, which kicked off last month.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Why Stonewall matters On June 28, 1969, a police raid at the Stonewall Inn kicked off a series of protests that ultimately turned into what’s now known as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kickoff
1 of 2 noun
kick·off
ˈkik-ˌȯf 
: a kick that puts the ball into play (as in soccer or football)
kick off
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)kik-ˈȯf
1
: to make a kickoff
2
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