kick-start

American  

[kik-stahrt] / ˈkɪkˌstɑrt /

Or kickstart

verb (used with object)

kick-starts, present (3rd person singular) kick-started, past participle, past kick-starting present participle

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

Derived Forms

• kick-starter
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have kick-started
  perfect
• has kick-started
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are kick-starting
  progressive
• kick-starting
  participle
• kick-starts
  singular 3rd person
• is kick-starting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am kick-starting
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been kick-starting
  perfect progressive
• has been kick-starting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had kick-started
  perfect
• were kick-starting
  progressive plural
• kick-started
  participle
• had been kick-starting
  perfect progressive
• kick-started
  simple
• was kick-starting
  progressive singular

Future

• will kick-start
  simple
• will have kick-started
  perfect
• will have been kick-starting
  perfect progressive
• will be kick-starting
  progressive

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

For the superrich, private bankers or lawyers might fly to vacation homes to facilitate sit-downs or kick-start a financial conversation on the ski slopes or at the lake house.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 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

I heard him racing across the gravel, yelling, “Maia!” to kick-start his flying sneakers.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan