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

Gleason, meanwhile, has fully embraced the leadership role on a team filled with sophomores and juniors who are all first-year varsity starters. —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

And that’s just for starters—there are so many more possibilities for this versatile product. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Here’s a rundown of every starter option on the 40-man roster: Brayan Bello After signing a six-year contract extension last March, Bello had a tumultuous campaign. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2025

The healthy number of starter homes will enable newcomers to lay down roots, according to the report. —Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 23 Jan. 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

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