kickoff

Or kick-off

[kik-awf, -of]

noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. the initial stage of something; start; beginning.

   the campaign kickoff.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kickoff¹

First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase kick off

Example Sentences

USC coach Lincoln Riley declined to provide an update on Lane or Paige on Tuesday and instead referred reporters to the Big Ten’s availability report, which is released two hours before kickoff every Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times

She and other students are feeling the absence of Hispanic Heritage Month events, chatter about the LGBTQ+ center’s rainbow run and the now-closed Multicultural Center’s annual kickoff that would have otherwise happened.

From Salon

There were two such kickoffs in the Big Ten last season, and only one that included a team hopping three time zones to the west.

From Los Angeles Times

For afternoon kickoffs, a soft pretzel tray with mustard or cinnamon dip goes a long way.

From Salon

The Trojans instead were left lying around the tiny visiting locker room at Ross-Ade Stadium for hours before kickoff, doing whatever they could to stay loose.

From Los Angeles Times