start
noun
1. the beginning of anything
- it was off to a good start
Definition categories: event, beginning
2. the time at which something is supposed to begin
- they got an early start
Similar word(s): beginning, commencement, first, kickoff, offset, outset, showtime
Definition categories: time, point
3. a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)
- he got his start because one of the regular pitchers was in the hospital
- his starting meant that the coach thought he was one of their best linemen
Similar word(s): starting
Definition categories: act, play, turn
4. a sudden involuntary movement
- he awoke with a start
Similar word(s): jump, startle
Definition categories: act, reflex
5. the act of starting something
Similar word(s): beginning, commencement
Definition categories: act
6. a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
Similar word(s): scratch
Definition categories: location, line
7. a signal to begin (as in a race)
- the starting signal was a green light
- the runners awaited the start
Definition categories: communication, sign, signal, signaling
8. the advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)
- with an hour's start he will be hard to catch
Definition categories: attribute, advantage, vantage
Sentences with start as a noun:
- The movie was entertaining from start to finish.
- He woke with a start.
- Jones has been a substitute before, but made his first start for the team last Sunday.
verb
1. take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
- Who will start?
Similar word(s): begin, commence, get
Definition categories: change
2. set in motion, cause to start
- The U.S. started a war in the Middle East
Similar word(s): begin, commence
Definition categories: change
3. leave
Definition categories: motion, leave
4. have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense
- Prices for these homes start at $250,000
Similar word(s): begin
Definition categories: stative
5. bring into being
- Start a foundation
Similar word(s): initiate, originate
Definition categories: creation, create, make
6. get off the ground
- Who started this company?
- I start my day with a good breakfast
- The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack
Similar word(s): commence
Definition categories: creation, begin, commence, start
7. move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm
- She startled when I walked into the room
Similar word(s): jump, startle
Definition categories: motion, move
8. get going or set in motion
- We simply could not start the engine
- start up the computer
Definition categories: motion
9. begin or set in motion
- I start at eight in the morning
Similar word(s): go
Definition categories: motion
10. begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job
- start a new job
Definition categories: social
11. play in the starting lineup
Definition categories: competition, play
12. have a beginning characterized in some specified way
Similar word(s): begin
Definition categories: stative, be
13. begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object
- She started the soup while it was still hot
- We started physics in 10th grade
Similar word(s): begin
Definition categories: social, act, move
14. bulge outward
Similar word(s): bulge, pop, protrude
Definition categories: motion, deform
Sentences with start as a verb:
- to start a stream of water;
- The rain started at 9:00.
- to start a bone;
- The hounds started a fox.
- to start a water cask