kickoff

1 of 2

noun

kick·​off ˈkik-ˌȯf How to pronounce kickoff (audio)
1
: a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
the opening kickoff
2
: the start of something : commencement
the campaign kickoff

kick off

2 of 2

verb

kicked off; kicking off; kicks off

intransitive verb

1
: to start or resume play in football by a placekick
2
a
: to initiate proceedings
b
: to start out : begin
the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
3
slang : die

transitive verb

: to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign

Examples of kickoff in a Sentence

Noun At his campaign kickoff, the senator gave a passionate speech about combating poverty. His speech marked the kickoff of his campaign. Verb I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question. surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In two seasons with New Orleans, Westhoff helped make the Saints No. 4 in the NFL in fewest punt return yards allowed (309) while posting the seventh-highest kickoff return average (23.5) and field goal percentage (89.4). Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024 Featuring limited-edition products, custom portraits and fresh flowers, Siempre Juntos, or Together Forever, is a celebration of the Género Neutral ethos, an inclusive block party and official kickoff of the next GNLA chapter. Romany Williams, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Heck, Hallmark plays movies dedicated to the holiday all year, even before Countdown to Christmas kicks off in October. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024 Tax planning may be far from your mind as the holiday season kicks off with family gatherings and festive celebrations and work events. Marion Hart, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kickoff 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1857, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kickoff was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near kickoff

Cite this Entry

“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

kickoff

1 of 2 noun
kick·​off ˈkik-ˌȯf How to pronounce kickoff (audio)
: a kick that puts the ball into play (as in soccer or football)

kick off

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)kik-ˈȯf
1
: to make a kickoff
2

More from Merriam-Webster on kickoff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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