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

Some political and industry observers said that both the federal and Alberta governments might be required to step up with additional funding to kick-start construction.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

I gave him $5,000 a few years ago to help kick-start him.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The situation has led Li to seek higher efficiency, hoping new models will kick-start sales.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Hoping to kick-start his campaign for May's Holyrood election, Sarwar called for Starmer to step down at a press conference on Monday.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

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

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan