starter

1 of 2

noun

start·​er ˈstär-tər 

1

: a person who initiates or sets going: such as

a

: an official who gives the signal to begin a race

b

: one who dispatches vehicles

2

a

: one that engages in a competition

especially : a member of a starting lineup

b

: one that begins to engage in an activity or process

3

: one that causes something to begin operating: such as

a

: a device for starting an engine

especially : an electric motor used to start an internal combustion engine

b

: material containing microorganisms (such as yeast) used to induce a desired fermentation

4

: something that is the beginning of a process, activity, or series

especially : appetizer

starter

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being an item acquired with the expectation that a more elaborate or sophisticated model will be acquired in the future

a starter home

Phrases

for starters

: to begin with

Examples of starter in a Sentence

Noun

The team is playing only five regular starters.

The car's starter needs to be replaced.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Last year the Chiefs blocked a last-second field goal to preserve their 16-14 victory at home, but the Broncos won 38-0 in the final game of the regular season, though the Chiefs rested almost all of their starters. —Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

The Minnesota Vikings are entering the 2025 NFL season with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy penciled in as their starter. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Adjective

The figures assume a starter investment of $1,000 from the government. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025

And despite a strong outing from starter Adrian Houser in his return from the paternity list, the team stood four outs away from having that unwanted streak extended. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing starter

• kick-starter
• self-starter
• starter home/house
• starter kit

Rhymes for starter

• arter
• barter
• charter
• darter
• garter
• martyr
• smarter
• tartar

Kids Definition

starter

noun

start·​er

ˈstärt-ər

: someone or something that starts something or causes something else to start

the starter of a motor