started; starting; starts
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
1
: to cause to leave a place of concealment : flush
start a rabbit
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
1
a
: a sudden involuntary bodily movement or reaction
woke with a start
b
: a brief and sudden action or movement
c
: a sudden capricious impulse or outburst
2
: a beginning of movement, activity, or development
a false start
housing starts
3
4
: a place of beginning
5
: the act or an instance of being a competitor in a race or a member of a starting lineup in a game
undefeated in six starts—
Current Biography
Current Biography
strategic arms reduction talks
Examples of start in a Sentence
Verb
They started clearing land for the new housing development.
He started studying music at the age of five.
As soon as you're ready to play, we'll start.
Let's start with some warm-up exercises.
He deleted what he wrote and started fresh.
Olympic athletes start young and train hard.
I started the quilt last month.
Have you started your book report?
We started the meeting at 6:30.
She started the meeting with a brief review of the previous meeting.
Noun
knew from the start of the game that he would win easily
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
Day Vacuum Deals Refreshing your space should always start with a deep cleaning, which requires a powerful vacuum.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
There’s been a series of starts and stops with Lehrer’s case, which Emma claims is riddled with corruption.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Verb
Keep reading for all the pieces that deserve a spot in your fall travel wardrobe, starting at $29.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
Day Vacuum Deals Refreshing your space should always start with a deep cleaning, which requires a powerful vacuum.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
The Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back from a disappointing start to the World Series to take Game 2 over the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 on Saturday night at the Rogers Centre.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
There’s been a series of starts and stops with Lehrer’s case, which Emma claims is riddled with corruption.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start
Cite this Entry
“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/start. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
start
1 of 2 verb1
: to move suddenly and sharply : give a sudden twitch or jerk (as in surprise)
2
: to come or bring into being, activity, or operation
who started the rumor
started a camp for youngsters
fire started in the cellar
the game started late
3
: to stick out or seem to stick out : protrude
eyes that started from their sockets
4
: set out sense 2, begin
start to school
5
: to take part or cause to take part in a game or contest
6
: to cause to move, act, or operate
start the motor
start
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a quick unwilled bodily reaction
b
: a brief and sudden action or movement
2
: a beginning of movement, activity, or development
get an early start
3
: a lead or advantage at the beginning of a race or competition : head start
4
: a place of beginning
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