kickoff

1 of 2

noun

kick·​off ˈkik-ˌȯf 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• alpha
• baseline
• beginning
• birth
• commencement
• dawn
• day one
• genesis
• get-go
• git-go
• inception
• incipience
• incipiency
• launch
• morning
• nascence
• nascency
• onset
• outset
• start
• threshold

Verb

• begin
• commence
• embark (on or upon)
• enter (into or upon)
• fall (to)
• get off
• launch
• lead off
• open
• start
• strike (into)

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

Noun

Any additional player props updated Sunday ahead of kickoffs. —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

The Jackson State Tigers (11-2) and South Carolina State Bulldogs (9-2) meet Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with kickoff set for noon ET on ABC. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

Verb

Harvick is set to continue with broadcast coverage in the 2025 season, kicking off with the prestigious Daytona 500. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

With organisations also competing for serious cash in the club championship, Reichert is expecting many to sign chess players before the event kicks off to hopefully earn some extra club championship points. —Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1857, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

kickoff

1 of 2 noun

kick·​off ˈkik-ˌȯf 

: 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

: begin sense 1