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

Holmes began his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a starter. —Will Sammon, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024

For starters, Hawks' Trae Young recently suffered a right Achilles injury and could be ruled out for the matchup against the Knicks. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Multiple people familiar with the club’s thinking said Brown is open to dealing one of Tucker or starter Framber Valdez, both of whom are set to make more than $15 million during their final trip through the arbitration process. —Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024

More first-time homebuyers are turning to their parents to help pay for their starter homes. —Karri Peifer, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024

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