kick-start
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to start (a motorcycle engine) by means of a pedal that is kicked downwards
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informal to make (something) active, functional, or productive again
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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kick-startsimple
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kick-startssimple
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have kick-startedperfect
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has kick-startedperfect
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am kick-startingprogressive
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are kick-startingprogressive
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is kick-startingprogressive
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have been kick-startingperfect progressive
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has been kick-startingperfect progressive
Past
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kick-startedsimple
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had kick-startedperfect
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was kick-startingprogressive
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were kick-startingprogressive
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had been kick-startingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of kick-start
First recorded in 1910–15
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:
There’s a strong case for Netflix to kick-start a bidding war after failing to buy Warner.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
Doing so may do more to kick-start their adult life than any attempt to kick them off the family phone plan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
While AI has made it easier for some firms to automate tasks entry-level workers once did to kick-start their careers, the research found the uptick in youth unemployment predates AI making its way across industries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
Investors have been snapping up space stocks lately in the hope that the Artemis II mission around the moon will kick-start a new era of space exploration.
From Barron's ● Apr. 16, 2026
I’m hoping they’ll help us kick-start our own Seniors for Seniors adoption program.
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
“It really kick-starts fleet-scale nuclear development in the United States,” Sumner said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
Despite Rousey hinting the fight may be the last of her storied career, Bidarian is hoping she kick-starts a new era for MMA.
From BBC ● May 15, 2026
The move kick-starts a long-simmering unionization effort that comes amid scrutiny of the electric utility for potential mishandling of the devastating Eaton fire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2025
Players occasionally receive tips via an in-game mail service, leading to a hyperlink or message board that kick-starts an investigation.
From New York Times ● Feb. 5, 2024
He kick-starts the bike, revs the throttle, and then they’re ripping down the street, her red hair crackling like a wildfire behind them.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
Volcker succeeded in reducing inflation, Ronald Reagan’s tax cuts kick-started the economy, the stock market surged, and the personal computer, internet and smartphone changed everyone’s lives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
It kick-started the phenomenon of “vibe coding” where even users without coding knowledge — or understanding of software — could share verbal instruction and build apps and websites.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
The process for the return of Terrible’s to Primm kick-started May 5, when Affinity confirmed the closure of Primm Valley Casino Resorts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
The filing sets up the company to potentially go public as soon as this fall, though OpenAI—which kick-started the AI boom with the 2022 release of ChatGPT—said it hasn’t yet decided on timing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026
Once he was out of the way I kick-started the bike and nearly jumped off at the sound.
From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer
It was during the show’s “Snack Attack” segment when Oswalt dissed on food bowls, specifically calling out KFC for kick-starting such a heinous eating trend.
From Salon ● Jun. 8, 2026
But since last fall, she has been racing to get it ready, hiring a slew of new finance and accounting professionals and kick-starting informal conversations with banks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
The Treasury Department announced Wednesday External link that five million children are now signed up for Trump accounts, the new investment vehicles aimed at kick-starting savings for young people.
From Barron's ● Apr. 15, 2026
They worry influencers are pushing children to splurge on products that in some cases could cause damage to sensitive young skin, and are concerned the craze is kick-starting an unhealthy fixation with physical appearance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2024
Barack looked out at the audience and into the TV cameras, and as if kick-starting some internal engine, he just smiled and began to roll.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
