kickoff

noun

kick·off | \ ˈkik-ˌȯf

Definition of kickoff

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

kick off

verb

kicked off; kicking off; kicks off

Definition of kick off (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to start or resume play in football by a placekick

2a : to initiate proceedings

b : to start out : begin the movie kicks off with a bank robbery

3 slang : die

transitive verb

: to mark the beginning of kick off the campaign

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about kickoff

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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: Noun

The panel had been discussing Trump’s 2020 campaign kickoff a day prior, and McCain — no Trump fan — noted the enthusiasm of his base at the event. — Natalie Stone, PEOPLE.com, "The View Says All Co-Hosts Expected to Return After Report About Meghan McCain Feeling 'Caged'," 3 July 2019 Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who just left her job as press secretary, was called to the stage at Trump’s campaign kickoff and several other rallies. — Noah Bierman, latimes.com, "Trump uses the trappings of the White House for reelection bid to unprecedented degree," 3 July 2019 Inside, Parc des Princes filled out nearly to capacity half an hour before kickoff. — Ashley Scoby, Pro Soccer USA, "U.S., France atmosphere lives up to hype in World Cup prize fight," 29 June 2019 The scene was much, much different from Trump’s last campaign kickoffRecall Trump’s campaign launch in 2015: The location was in the atrium of his Trump Tower building in New York City, and the announcement did not attract many attendees. — Christina Prignano, BostonGlobe.com, "Three takeaways from Trump’s campaign kickoff rally in Orlando," 19 June 2019 Kirsten is having a campaign kickoff tomorrow morning outside Trump International Tower in Columbus Circle, NY. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "So, Kirsten Gillibrand and Connie Britton Have Quietly Been BFFs for Years," 5 Apr. 2019 Those initial donation numbers are competitive with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 2016 presidential campaign kickoff. — Ken Thomas, WSJ, "Sen. Kamala Harris Raised $1.5 Million in First 24 Hours After Announcing Candidacy," 22 Jan. 2019 The rally — a warm-up to the official campaign kickoff in Annapolis next Saturday — capped a day of official and political events in Washington County, which Hogan carried with 73 percent of the vote four years ago. — Michael Dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Hogan launches his fall re-election campaign on friendly turf of Hagerstown," 2 June 2018 Hernandez is holding a campaign kickoff on Thursday starting at 6 p.m. at Pappasito's Cantina, 2515 S. Loop W., Houston. — Jeremy Wallace, Houston Chronicle, "Candidate with 'no chance in hell' running for Congress in Houston," 25 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Marlins were similarly stung on Tuesday by the Nationals, losing 3-2 to kick off the road trip that will conclude with the All-Star break. — Charles Odum, sun-sentinel.com, "Marlins, after long rain delay, get walked off in bottom of ninth again," 6 July 2019 Infantino said Friday to kick off his closing news conference of the tournament. — Alicia Delgallo, Pro Soccer USA, "FIFA proposes Women’s World Cup expansion to 32 teams, increased investment," 6 July 2019 What better way to kick off a holiday weekend in New Orleans than with a marching band, beignets and a group of stylish Black folks? — Nandi Howard, Essence, "ESSENCE Kicked Off Fashion House With Gucci And Kering," 5 July 2019 Nothing like an earthquake to kick off those July 4th celebrations. — Lauren Huff, EW.com, "Ava DuVernay, Gabrielle Union, more stars react to L.A.'s July 4 earthquake: 'Is this the big one?'," 4 July 2019 Rotarians worked to obtain a long-term lease and to kick off a capital campaign. — Karen Zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "Rotarians raise funds to house firefighters fighting cancer," 3 July 2019 To kick off the wedding weekend, friends and family were given a tour of the city, and then on Friday, the ceremony took place at the Church of St. Yeghiche in the South Kensington district of West London. — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, "An Exclusive Look Inside Katharine McPhee and David Foster’s Wedding in London," 3 July 2019 Liam Hendrik’s pitched two shutout innings in relief, a cherry atop his AL Reliever of the Month to kick off July. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Oakland Athletics see four-game win streak derailed by Twins in extra innings," 3 July 2019 Kevin, Joe and Nick are currently gearing up to kick off their 40-date Happiness Begins tour on Aug. 7 in Miami, Florida. — Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE.com, "Kevin Jonas Thanks Wife Danielle for Saying 'Yes' on 10th Anniversary of Their Engagement," 2 July 2019

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