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

The team’s early, anemic offense came with starter Max Fried holding the game together, pitching eight innings while allowing six hits, no walks and striking out six batters. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2026

On the other end, Dodgers starters had thrown at least six innings in each of their last four games to minimize the tax on the bullpen. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Adjective

The Sox won the opener 2-0 on Thursday behind 5 2/3 scoreless innings from starter Anthony Kay. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

If Andy’s apartment is a starter home, this is the endgame. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 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