kick in

verb

kicked in; kicking in; kicks in
Synonyms of kick innext

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.
The video shows two people approaching the front of the store and then kicking in the glass. Dennis Valera, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026 Barnes & Noble has been on an expansion kick in Orange County. Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026 Many successful careers start with an opportunity, a lucky break — or in my case, a good old-fashioned kick in the a--. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026 With only moderate investment and a working relationship with the US government, Venezuela could probably get its existing oil fields back to their operating capacity from a decade or so ago, before US sanctions fully kicked in, according to Palacios. David Goldman, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026 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 13 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

kick in

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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