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

The Chargers coaching staff kept Johnston as a starter even after adding two outside receivers in the draft in KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tre’ Harris. —Jesse Newell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

Third baseman Maikel Garcia belted a two-run homer in the third inning off returning Twins starter Pablo Lopez. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

Adjective

Jones was depended on to close the season for the Jacksonville Jaguars last year when starter Trevor Lawrence was sidelined due to injury. —Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The Padres got starter Michael King back from a pair of injuries that had cost him more than three months. —Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Sep. 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