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Added 9 October 2026

start

/stɑːt/ noun

Categories: ActionsTimeEveryday Words

In Latin: exordium, orīgō Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about start at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. The beginning of an activity.
    The movie was entertaining from start to finish.
  2. A sudden involuntary movement.
    He woke with a start.
  3. The beginning point of a race, a board game, etc.
    Captured pieces are returned to the start of the board.

verb

  1. To begin, commence, initiate. To set in motion.
    to start a stream of water; to start a rumour; to start a business
  2. To set in motion.
    to start a stream of water; to start a rumour; to start a business
  3. To begin.
    The President fired the gun to start the footrace.

noun

  1. An instance of starting.

noun

  1. A projection or protrusion; that which pokes out.
  2. The curved or inclined front and bottom of a water wheel bucket.
  3. The arm, or level, of a gin, drawn around by a horse.

Origin

From Middle English stert, from the verb sterten (“to start, startle”). See below.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: begincommencebeginningoutsetcommencementgetoriginateinitiateoffset

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