to appear or come suddenly into action, life, view, etc.; rise or issue suddenly forth.
to spring, move, or dart suddenly from a position or place: The rabbit started from the bush.
to be among the entrants in a race or the initial participants in a game or contest.
to give a sudden, involuntary jerk, jump, or twitch, as from a shock of surprise, alarm, or pain: The sudden clap of thunder caused everyone to start.
to protrude: eyes seeming to start from their sockets.
to spring, slip, or work loose from place or fastenings, as timbers or other structural parts.
verb (used with object)
to set moving, going, or acting; to set in operation: to start an automobile; to start a fire.
to establish or found: to start a new business.
to begin work on: to start a book.
to enable or help (someone) set out on a journey, a career, or the like: The record started the young singer on the road to stardom.
to cause or choose to be an entrant in a game or contest: He started his ace pitcher in the crucial game.
to cause (an object) to work loose from place or fastenings.
to rouse (game) from its lair or covert; flush.
to draw or discharge (liquid or other contents) from a vessel or container; empty (a container).
Archaic. to cause to twitch, jump, or flinch involuntarily; startle.
noun
a beginning of an action, journey, etc.
a signal to move, proceed, or begin, as on a course or in a race.
a place or time from which something begins.
the first part or beginning segment of anything: The start of the book was good but the last half was dull.
an instance of being a participant in a race or an initial participant in a game or contest: The horse won his first two starts.
a sudden, springing movement from a position.
a sudden, involuntary jerking movement of the body: to awake with a start.
a lead or advance of specified amount, as over competitors or pursuers.
the position or advantage of one who starts first: The youngest child should have the start over the rest.
a chance, opportunity, aid, or encouragement given to one starting on a course or career: The bride's parents gave the couple a start by buying them a house.
a spurt of activity.
a starting of parts from their place or fastenings in a structure.
the resulting break or opening.
an outburst or sally, as of emotion, wit, or fancy.
Origin of start
before 1150; (v.) Middle English sterten to rush out, leap (cognate with Middle High German sterzen); replacing Old English styrtan (attested once), cognate with German stürzen; (noun) Middle English stert(e) sudden jerk, leap, derivative of the v.