start

¹start

verb \ˈstärt\

Definition of START

intransitive verb

1

a : to move suddenly and violently : spring <started angrily to his feet> b : to react with a sudden brief involuntary movement <started when a shot rang out>

2

a : to issue with sudden force <blood starting from the wound> b : to come into being, activity, or operation <when does the movie start> <the rain started up again>

3

: to protrude or seem to protrude <eyes starting from their sockets>

4

: to become loosened or forced out of place <one of the planks has started>

5

a : to begin a course or journey <started toward the door> <just starting out> b : to range from a specified initial point <the rates start at $10>

6

: to begin an activity or undertaking; especially : to begin work

7

: to be a participant in a game or contest; especially : to be in the starting lineup

transitive verb

1

: to cause to leave a place of concealment : flush <start a rabbit>

2

archaic : startle, alarm

3

: to bring up for consideration or discussion

4

: to bring into being <start a rumor>

5

: to cause to become loosened or displaced

6

: to begin the use of <start a fresh loaf of bread>

7

a : to cause to move, act, or operate <start the motor> b : to cause to enter a game or contest; especially : to put in the starting lineup c : to care for or train during the early stages of growth and development <started plants> <a well-started coonhound>

8

: to do or experience the first stages or actions of <started studying music at the age of five>

— start something also start anything

: to make trouble <always trying to start something> <don't start anything>

— to start with

1

: at the beginning : initially

2

: in any event

Examples of START

1. They started clearing land for the new housing development.
2. He started studying music at the age of five.
3. As soon as you're ready to play, we'll start.
4. Let's start with some warm-up exercises.
5. He deleted what he wrote and started fresh.
6. Olympic athletes start young and train hard.
7. I started the quilt last month.
8. Have you started your book report?
9. We started the meeting at 6:30.
10. She started the meeting with a brief review of the previous meeting.

Origin of START

Middle English sterten; akin to Middle High German sterzen to stand up stiffly, move quickly

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to START

Synonyms: bolt, jump, startle

Antonyms: close (down), phase out, shut (up)

Related Words: jerk, jolt, twitch; blench, cringe, flinch, quail, recoil, shrink, spook, squinch, wince; bound, leap, spring; react, respond

Near Antonyms: abolish, annihilate, annul, nullify; end, finish, halt, stop, terminate; round (off or out), wind up, wrap up

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Rhymes with START

art, cart, chart, Chartres, dart, fart, hart, Harte, heart, kart, mart, part, smart, tart