kickoff
or kick-off
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.
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.
the initial stage of something; start; beginning: the campaign kickoff.
Origin of kickoff
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use kickoff in a sentence
Case in point Tuesday's White Cube kick-off party at Soho House and Le Baron at the Florida Room Delano last night.
You Should Have Been There: Dispatches From Miami Art Basel | Anthony Haden-Guest | December 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTPrince William presented medals to the 150 football volunteers before kick-off.
Prince William Tells Buckingham Palace Footballers: Don't Break Granny's Windows | Tom Sykes | October 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTOn Thursday, Ray hosts the Burger Bash, the kick-off—and high point—of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
Nicole LaPorte checks in from Park City, Utah on the eve of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival's official kick-off.
Sundance 2011: Indie Mecca or Hollywood Extravaganza? | Nicole LaPorte | January 20, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTFollowing the kick-off, the battle raged uncertainly in the middle of the field.
The Boy Scouts of Lakeville High | Leslie W. Quirk
But now, with the game actually begun, the splendid kick-off gave Lakeville's captain hope.
The Boy Scouts of Lakeville High | Leslie W. QuirkIm working on a plan that will, I think, produce more certainty of result to the kick-off.
Left Half Harmon | Ralph Henry BarbourBut in the furious battle that developed from the kick-off, it was evident that the "Maroons" were very lively corpses.
Bert Wilson on the Gridiron | J. W. DuffieldWith the new kick-off, however, there is certainly an excellent chance for a return kick.
Harper's Round Table, September 10, 1895 | Various
British Dictionary definitions for kick off
to start play in a game of football by kicking the ball from the centre of the field
informal to commence a discussion, job, etc
a place kick from the centre of the field in a game of football
the time at which the first such kick is due to take place: kickoff is at 2.30 p.m
informal
the beginning of something
for a kickoff to begin with
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with kickoff
Start, begin, as in They kicked off the celebration with a parade. This term alludes to starting play by kicking the ball in soccer, football, and similar sports. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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