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

see also:

for starters

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

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

Yesavage and San Diego starter Walker Buehler combined walked 11 batters before the end of the second inning. — ABC News, 12 July 2026

The Mets see Wiggins — his older brother, Jaxon, also a pitcher, is a top-100 prospect in the Chicago Cubs’ system — as a potential front-line starter. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Adjective

Langeliers earning a starting spot follows then-rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson’s fan-election last season, which broke a 10-year starter drought for the club. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

The Washington Nationals have utilized an opener in front of a starter multiple times this season, usually yielding a positive result. — Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 4 July 2026

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