kickoff
Americannoun
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Football. a place kick or a drop kick from the 40-yard line of the team kicking at the beginning of the first and third periods or after the team kicking has scored a touchdown or field goal.
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Soccer. a kick that puts a stationary ball into play from the center line of the field at the start of a quarter or after a goal has been scored.
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the initial stage of something; start; beginning.
the campaign kickoff.
Etymology
Origin of kickoff
First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase kick off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kickoff between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026
The NFL doesn’t have to go huge in the Kickoff Opener to get big TV numbers, but the league will do so with this year’s marquee matchup: Dallas at Philadelphia.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025
Kickoff is at 6 p.m. on Dec. 18 and the game will air on ESPN.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2024
Kickoff was in 50-degree temperatures, driving rain and a coastal flood warning for the Chester, Pa., area.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2024
Notre Dame Kickoff: Dec. 29 at 11 a.m.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
