kickoff
Americannoun
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kickoffs
plural
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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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
“Between the white lines, for 48 minutes, I expect nothing less than war,” San Juan Hills head coach Robert Frith said before kickoff.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
But he was injured during the ensuing kickoff when he knocked the returner out of bounds.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
Rams kicker Blake Grupe was injured in the first quarter of his debut while pushing a kickoff returner out of bounds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
The two outcomes show how three years into the NFL’s new kickoff rules, teams are still bumbling through the search for optimal moves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
The thought of the kickoff rally cheered him greatly.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Executives also hire him to help write their material for corporate kickoffs and all-hands meetings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
When he shows up to USC, his college choice, the Trojans will have plenty of plans on how to use him, whether it’s receiver, wildcat quarterback, returning punts or kickoffs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 21, 2025
That first season, the percentage of touchbacks on kickoffs plummeted because kickers couldn’t boot the ball as far.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
For afternoon kickoffs, a soft pretzel tray with mustard or cinnamon dip goes a long way.
From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2025
I’d been at campaign kickoffs, fund-raisers, and election-night parties.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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