kickoff
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
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the initial stage of something; start; beginning.
the campaign kickoff.
Etymology
Origin of kickoff
First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase kick off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Business owner Sarah Wells, who is part of the We Pay the Tariffs group, echoed Anthony’s view that Monday’s kickoff was a mixed bag.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026
In addition to the strong kickoff, 2026 marks the return of popular franchises that once printed money for studios: a new “Star Wars” movie, as well as Disney and Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Doomsday.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
Still, his tone is upbeat: “The trial’s going really well. I would love to see the kickoff of Nebraska’s football season.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
Vossler Smith said that during a kickoff event for the nearly 500 volunteers who help with Modernism Week, she asked for a show of hands from “our Canadian friends.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
Odessa High received the ball on the kickoff, gained five yards in three plays, and punted again.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
