starting

American  

[stahr-ting] / ˈstɑr tɪŋ /

adjective

1. being a price, amount, player lineup, etc., fixed at the beginning.

   If you get hired, what will your starting salary be?

2. setting out on a course of action; taking the first steps in an activity.

   The idea of the frosh pub mingle is for you to meet your fellow starting students.

3. coming to life, becoming active, or beginning to move.

   She listened for the sound of a starting car, but all was still.

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Etymology

Origin of starting

First recorded in 1810–15; start ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Bengen decided to study how that same portfolio would perform for someone starting retirement on July 1, 2000, shortly after the Dot-com bubble began bursting.

From Barron's • Apr. 19, 2026

Matijevich suggests starting with an olive oil base when storing garlic, whether it’s peeled cloves, chopped, or minced.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

“I’ve run every leg at one time or another but I liked starting today — it felt more powerful putting us in front,” Scoggins said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

The party felt like it was almost, with some praise for Starmer's handling of the war, starting to catch a break.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Danny could have stayed in the bath for hours, but he was starting to get sleepy and his fingers were wrinkled like raisins.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova