start up

British  

verb

1. to come or cause to come into being for the first time; originate

2. (intr) to spring or jump suddenly from a position or place

3. to set in or go into motion, activity, etc

   he started up the engine

   the orchestra started up

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adjective

1. of or relating to input, usually financial, made to establish a new project or business

   a start-up mortgage

noun

1. a business enterprise that has been launched recently

start up Idioms  

1. Begin to operate, especially a machine or engine, as in Start up the motor so we can get going . [First half of 1900s]

2. Move suddenly or begin an activity, as in When the alarm rang I started up . [Early 1200s]

3. Organize a new enterprise, as in Starting up a business requires considerable capital . [Second half of 1900s]

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Explanation

A start-up is a brand new business. A typical start-up begins as a small team with a great idea working out of a home or coffee shop. A giant, well-funded company isn't a start-up — start-ups are entrepreneurial concepts with one or two founders that typically run on a small, shoestring budget. Starting a start-up, however, means you intend to grow it and make money. Shopify, Zappos, and AirBnB all began as start-ups. Many start-ups fail, and start-ups that end up valued at a billion dollars or more are so rare that they're known as unicorns.

Example Sentences

He said he hoped he could start up again in September, the next high season.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

At trial, Musk told jurors that his AI start up xAI was small relative to OpenAI which is also expected to sell shares to the public imminently.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

In what year will the U.S. start up its next nuclear reactor?

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

So start up your Oscar pools and read on for final Oscar predictions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Doña Ana’s barn still stood, and the animals inside whimpered softly, as if their normal voices would make the wind start up again.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago