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 goal of the meeting was to discuss an easing of U.S. sanctions and kick-start higher-level dialogues about resetting U.S.-Eritrea ties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

I gave him $5,000 a few years ago to help kick-start him.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Officials hope to kick-start the field and encourage more venture-capital and other private-sector investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

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 • Feb. 12, 2026

“Come on, Mon, it’s only our Comrade Uncle—” Comrade Pillai tried to kick-start Shakespeare.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy