kick-start

American  

[kik-stahrt] / ˈkɪkˌstɑrt /

Or kickstart

verb (used with object)

1. to start by means of a kick starter.

   to kick-start a motorcycle.

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kick-start British  

/ 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

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noun

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

Other Word Forms

• kick-starter noun

Etymology

Origin of kick-start

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The company said it would invest $600 million in marketing, sales, and research and development to kick-start a recovery in the U.S. and accelerate growth in its higher-performing growth brand portfolio.

From Barron's

An escalation of that size could kick-start talks between Paramount and Warner, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shares sank 6% on Monday as Wall Street seemed to take Bhusri’s return as a sign of Workday’s struggles rather than the kick-start the company needs.

From Barron's

Michael van Gerwen kick-started his bid for an eighth Premier League title in style with victory on night one of the 2026 tournament in Newcastle.

From BBC

“It straight crushed me at the time,” he says of the diagnosis, “because basketball was my entire life. But that’s kind of what kick-started music for me.”

From Los Angeles Times