kick-start

Or kick·start

[kik-stahrt]

verb (used with object)

1. to start by means of a kick starter.

   to kick-start a motorcycle.

kick-start

/ ˈkɪkˌstɑːt /

verb

1. to start (a motorcycle engine) by means of a pedal that is kicked downwards

2. informal,  to make (something) active, functional, or productive again

noun

1. an action or event resulting in the reactivation of something

Other Word Forms

• kick-starter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kick-start¹

First recorded in 1910–15