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

Coach Kyle Smith acknowledged the difficulty in defending the Bears, who roll out four starters — including also point guard Justin Pippen — who can score 20 on any night and all are effective from the 3-point arc and the free throw line. —Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2026

Harrington and Magoon Gwath, both starters before their injuries, came off the bench. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Just ask Braves starter Spencer Strider, who had a rough 2025 following the procedure. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026

But how does each projected starter stack up against his counterpart? —Eno Sarris, New York Times, 19 Feb. 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