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
Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Williams scored 29 touchdowns from scrimmage also scored on a kickoff return in 2024.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2025
Sam Blum, New York Times, 22 June 2025
If cheerleaders were caught dating players, they were allegedly kicked off the team.
—Emily Krauser, People.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
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Noun
Other points of note: the oddity of playing Everton twice in December, the absence of a traditional Boxing Day or New Year’s Day fixture, plus midweek kickoffs against Wolves (twice) and Manchester City.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Williams scored 29 touchdowns from scrimmage also scored on a kickoff return in 2024.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2025
Verb
Earlier this month, immigration raids kicked off a wave of protests elsewhere in Los Angeles and across the country.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 22 June 2025
If cheerleaders were caught dating players, they were allegedly kicked off the team.
—Emily Krauser, People.com, 21 June 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 3 Jul. 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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