kick-start

verb

ˈkik-ˌstärt 

kick-started; kick-starting; kick-starts

transitive verb

1

: to start (something, such as a motorcycle) by means of a kick-starter

2

: jump-start sense 2

kick start noun

Examples of kick-start in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Or trade him in the next seven weeks and get something in return to kick-start the retool. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

During spring bloom, an upsurge in photosynthesizing algae and other microbes kick-starts the Arctic ecosystem, fueling a yearly revel, with tiny crustaceans, fish, seals, birds, polar bears, whales, and more. —Asher Elbein, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2025

Two challenge losses isn’t the best way to kick-start a Survivor season, but that was the Vula tribe’s fate in the season premiere of Survivor 48. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 26 Feb. 2025

Passage of the package is crucial to kick-starting the process. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for kick-start

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart