START

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does start mean? 

• START (noun)
  The noun START has 8 senses:

1. the beginning of anything

2. the time at which something is supposed to begin

3. a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)

4. a sudden involuntary movement

5. the act of starting something

6. a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game

7. a signal to begin (as in a race)

8. the advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)

  Familiarity information: START used as a noun is common.

• START (verb)
  The verb START has 14 senses:

1. take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

2. set in motion, cause to start

3. leave

4. have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense

5. bring into being

6. get off the ground

7. move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm

8. get going or set in motion

9. begin or set in motion

10. begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job

11. play in the starting lineup

12. have a beginning characterized in some specified way

13. begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object

14. bulge outward

  Familiarity information: START used as a verb is familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• START (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The beginning of anything

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

it was off to a good start

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

beginning (the event consisting of the start of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "start"):

menarche (the first occurrence of menstruation in a woman)

racing start (the start of a race)

kickoff; send-off; start-off (a start given to contestants)

curtain raising; opening; opening night (the first performance (as of a theatrical production))

alpha (the beginning of a series or sequence)

opener (the first event in a series)

flying start; running start (a quick and auspicious beginning)

dawn; morning (the earliest period)

oncoming; onset (the beginning or early stages)

thelarche (the start of breast development in a woman at the beginning of puberty)

adrenarche (the increase in activity of the adrenal glands just before puberty)

Derivation:

start (begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object)

start (have a beginning characterized in some specified way)

start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

start (begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job)

start (get off the ground)

start (bring into being)

start (set in motion, cause to start)

start (take the first step or steps in carrying out an action)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The time at which something is supposed to begin

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Synonyms:

beginning; commencement; first; get-go; kickoff; offset; outset; showtime; start; starting time

Context example:

she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

point; point in time (an instant of time)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "start"):

birth (the time when something begins (especially life))

incipience; incipiency (beginning to exist or to be apparent)

starting point; terminus a quo (earliest limiting point)

threshold (the starting point for a new state or experience)

Derivation:

start (take the first step or steps in carrying out an action)

start (set in motion, cause to start)

start (bring into being)

start (get off the ground)

start (begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job)

start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

start; starting

Context example:

his starting meant that the coach thought he was one of their best linemen

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

play; turn ((game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession)

Derivation:

start (play in the starting lineup)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A sudden involuntary movement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

jump; start; startle

Context example:

he awoke with a start

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

inborn reflex; innate reflex; instinctive reflex; physiological reaction; reflex; reflex action; reflex response; unconditioned reflex (an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "start"):

flinch; wince (a reflex response to sudden pain)

Moro reflex; startle reflex (a normal reflex of young infants; a sudden loud noise causes the child to stretch out the arms and flex the legs)

startle reaction; startle response (a complicated involuntary reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus (especially a loud noise); involves flexion of most skeletal muscles and a variety of visceral reactions)

Derivation:

start (move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The act of starting something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

beginning; commencement; start

Context example:

he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

change of state (the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "start"):

icebreaker (a beginning that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere)

jumping-off point; point of departure; springboard (a beginning from which an enterprise is launched)

startup (the act of setting in operation)

scrum; scrummage ((rugby) the method of beginning play in which the forwards of each team crouch side by side with locked arms; play starts when the ball is thrown in between them and the two sides compete for possession)

recommencement; resumption (beginning again)

kickoff ((football) a kick from the center of the field to start a football game or to resume it after a score)

jump ball ((basketball) the way play begins or resumes when possession is disputed; an official tosses the ball up between two players who jump in an effort to tap it to a teammate)

installation; installing; installment; instalment (the act of installing something (as equipment))

creation; foundation; founding; initiation; innovation; instauration; institution; introduction; origination (the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new)

inauguration; startup (the act of starting a new operation or practice)

housing start (the act of starting to construct a house)

groundbreaking; groundbreaking ceremony (the ceremonial breaking of the ground to formally begin a construction project)

first step; initiative; opening; opening move (the first of a series of actions)

face-off ((ice hockey) the method of starting play; a referee drops the puck between two opposing players)

debut; entry; first appearance; introduction; launching; unveiling (the act of beginning something new)

constitution; establishment; formation; organisation; organization (the act of forming or establishing something)

attack; tone-beginning (a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase)

activation (making active and effective (as a bomb))

Instance hyponyms:

Creation ((theology) God's act of bringing the universe into existence)

Antonym:

finish (the act of finishing)

Derivation:

start (take the first step or steps in carrying out an action)

start (have a beginning characterized in some specified way)

start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

start (begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object)

start (begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job)

start (bring into being)

start (play in the starting lineup)

start (set in motion, cause to start)

start (get off the ground)

Sense 6

Meaning:

A line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

scratch; scratch line; start; starting line

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

line (in games or sports; a mark indicating positions or bounds of the playing area)

Sense 7

Meaning:

A signal to begin (as in a race)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

start; starting signal

Context example:

the runners awaited the start

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

sign; signal; signaling (any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message)

Sense 8

Meaning:

The advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

head start; start

Context example:

with an hour's start he will be hard to catch

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

advantage; vantage (the quality of having a superior or more favorable position)

• START (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

begin; commence; get; get down; set about; set out; start; start out

Context example:

Let's get down to work now

Verb group:

begin (begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

launch; plunge (begin with vigor)

break in (start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role)

come on (occur or become available)

embark; enter (set out on (an enterprise or subject of study))

bestir oneself; get cracking; get going; get moving; get rolling; get started; get weaving (start to be active)

jump off (set off quickly, usually with success)

auspicate (commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck)

attack (set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task)

recommence (begin again)

strike out (set out on a course of action)

fall (begin vigorously)

get to (arrive at the point of)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing

Sentence examples:

They start to move
They start moving

Derivation:

starter (any new participant in some activity)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Set in motion, cause to start

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

begin; commence; lead off; start

Context example:

begin a new chapter in your life

Cause:

begin; start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

Verb group:

begin (have a beginning, of a temporal event)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

jump-start; jumpstart (start or re-start vigorously)

recommence (cause to start anew)

inaugurate; introduce; usher in (be a precursor of)

set off (set in motion or cause to begin)

commence; embark on; start; start up (get off the ground)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Leave

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

depart; part; set forth; set off; set out; start; start out; take off

Context example:

The family took off for Florida

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

go away; go forth; leave (go away from a place)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

roar off (leave)

sally forth; sally out (set out in a sudden, energetic or violent manner)

blaze; blaze out (move rapidly and as if blazing)

lift off; take off (depart from the ground)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

These cars won't start

Sense 4

Meaning:

Have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

begin; start

Context example:

Prices for these homes start at $250,000

Verb group:

begin; start (have a beginning characterized in some specified way)

begin (have a beginning, of a temporal event)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

break out; erupt (start abruptly)

bud (start to grow or develop)

break out (begin suddenly and sometimes violently)

kick in; set in (enter a particular state)

dawn (appear or develop)

originate (begin a trip at a certain point, as of a plane, train, bus, etc.)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Something ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Bring into being

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

initiate; originate; start

Context example:

Start a foundation

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

create; make (make or cause to be or to become)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

initiate; lead up (set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for)

set (apply or start)

date back; date from; go back (belong to an earlier time)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

starter (any new participant in some activity)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Get off the ground

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

commence; embark on; start; start up

Context example:

The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

begin; commence; lead off; start (set in motion, cause to start)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

inaugurate; kick off (commence officially)

open (begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the act of starting something)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

jump; start; startle

Context example:

She startled when I walked into the room

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

shy (start suddenly, as from fright)

boggle (startle with amazement or fear)

rear back (start with anger or resentment or in protest)

jackrabbit (go forward or start with a fast, sudden movement)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

start (a sudden involuntary movement)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Get going or set in motion

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

start; start up

Context example:

start up the computer

Cause:

get going; go; start (begin or set in motion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

jump; jump-start; jumpstart (start (a car engine whose battery is dead) by connecting it to another car's battery)

crank; crank up (start by cranking)

hot-wire (start (a car engine) without a key by bypassing the ignition interlock)

kick-start (start (a motorcycle) by means of a kick starter)

re-start; restart (start an engine again, for example)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Antonym:

stop (cause to stop)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Begin or set in motion

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

get going; go; start

Context example:

Ready, set, go!

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

come on; come up; go on (start running, functioning, or operating)

get off the ground; take off (get started or set in motion, used figuratively)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Antonym:

stop (come to a halt, stop moving)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

start; take up

Context example:

start a new job

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

take office (assume an office, duty, or title)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Play in the starting lineup

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

play (participate in games or sport)

Domain category:

athletics; sport (an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start; starting (a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning))

Sense 12

Meaning:

Have a beginning characterized in some specified way

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

begin; start

Context example:

The semester begins with a convocation ceremony

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Verb group:

begin; start (begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object)

begin; start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

begin (be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a series)

Sentence frame:

Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

Sense 13

Meaning:

Begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

begin; start

Context example:

We started physics in 10th grade

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Verb group:

begin; start (have a beginning characterized in some specified way)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

Sense 14

Meaning:

Bulge outward

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

bug out; bulge; bulge out; come out; pop; pop out; protrude; start

Context example:

His eyes popped

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

change form; change shape; deform (assume a different shape or form)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

 Context examples 

I spoke to her, and she started, and cried out.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He rose up without delay, eager to start on his way and to reach the castle of Stromberg, but he had no idea in which direction he ought to go.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

When morning came, they started again.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

But there’s no need to start eating chocolate if you don’t already.

(Can Chocolate Really Be Good for You?, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

But Matt's foot had already started on its way to kick White Fang.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

“Druther break cayuses any day, and twice on Sundays,” was the reply of the driver, as he climbed on the wagon and started the horses.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Does your child start but not finish things?

(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, NIH: National Institute of Mental Health)

Bangs, just to take a look at you, dear, and see that we start right.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Start by talking to your health care provider.

(Alcoholism, NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

Starting treatment as early as possible is important.

(Autism, NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)