jump-start

verb

ˈjəmp-ˈstärt 

jump-started; jump-starting; jump-starts

transitive verb

1

: to start (an engine or vehicle) by temporary connection to an external power source (such as another vehicle's battery)

2

a

: to start or restart (something) rapidly or forcefully

advertising can jump-start a political campaign

b

: to impart fresh or renewed energy to (something) : energize

a plan to jump-start the stagnant economy

jump start noun

Synonyms

• amp (up)
• animate
• brace
• energize
• enliven
• fillip
• fire
• ginger (up)
• invigorate
• jazz (up)
• juice up
• liven (up)
• pep (up)
• quicken
• spike
• stimulate
• vitalize
• vivify
• zip (up)

Examples of jump-start in a Sentence

an intentionally provocative comment that was supposed to jump-start the discussion

Recent Examples on the Web

The idea is simple: philanthropic capital can jump-start projects, and federal funding could eventually help scale it nationwide. —Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

The data jump-started a big bond price rally, meaning yields fell. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024

Advertisement Newsom chose San Quentin in Marin County, the state’s oldest prison, to jump-start the California Model last year. —Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

The fellowships have been around since 1974 and have helped jump-start the careers of many of today's industry leaders. —Arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1