variants or startup
often attributive
1
: the act or an instance of setting in operation or motion
2
: a fledgling business enterprise

Examples of start-up in a Sentence

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.
Getty Images In Europe’s nascent industry for decarbonising private homes, start-ups continue to innovate where larger businesses have moved much more slowly. David Prosser, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Stacey’s worked at a lot of start-ups, but the latest is most promising. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026 For many start-ups, particularly in the mobility industry, but also in other industries, their own business case lies in a mobility solution, not primarily in the development and production of vehicles. CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026 Manus started developing its agentic AI tools — for tasks such as market research and data analysis — as a start-up in China, before relocating to Singapore. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start-up

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of start-up was in 1845

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Start-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/start-up. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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