starter

American  

[stahr-ter] / ˈstɑr tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that starts.

2. a person who gives the signal to begin, as for a race, the running of a train, bus, elevator, etc.

3. a device that starts an internal-combustion engine without a need for cranking by hand.

4. a person or thing that starts in a race or contest.

   Only five starters finished the race.

5. Also called starter culture.  a culture of bacteria used to start a particular fermentation, as in the manufacture of cheese, buttermilk, sour cream, etc.

6. Also called sourdough starter. 

   1. a mixture of water and flour left to ferment over several days to create dough for sourdough bread.

   2. sourdough.

7. Slang. a shill, as at a gaming table in a casino.

8. the card turned face up on the stack before the play, as in cribbage, crazy eights, and other card games.

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adjective

1. constituting a basis or beginning.

   a starter set of dishes; a starter home.

idioms

1. for starters, as the first step or part; initially; first.

   We will have soup for starters. For starters, he doesn't even know how to drive.

starter British  

/ ˈstɑːtə /

noun

1. a device for starting an internal-combustion engine, usually consisting of a powerful electric motor that engages with the flywheel Formerly called self-starter

2. a person who organizes the timely departure of buses, trains, etc

3. a person who supervises and signals the start of a race

4. a competitor who starts in a race or contest

5. informal an acceptable or practicable proposition, plan, idea, etc

6. informal a person who is willing to engage in a particular activity

7. a culture of bacteria used to start fermentation, as in making cheese or yogurt

8. the first course of a meal

9. (modifier) designed to be used by a novice

   a starter kit

10. slang in the first place

11. 1. (of horses in a race) awaiting the start signal

    2. (of a person) eager or ready to begin

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Etymology

Origin of starter

First recorded in 1530–40; start + -er ¹

Example Sentences

He started off as the second-string quarterback, but when starter Austin Simmons hurt his ankle in the second week of the season, Chambliss grabbed the reins.

From The Wall Street Journal

And the Bears, playing their starters, wound up losing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Defending champions Philadelphia decided to rest most of their starters in their 24-17 loss to the Washington Commanders, but the Eagles will be at full strength against the San Francisco 49ers.

From BBC

With Justin Herbert and many of the Chargers’ starters not playing, the team puts in a strong defensive effort in a 19-3 loss to the Denver Broncos.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chargers rested 14 of their starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, who has played his way into the Most Valuable Player conversation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• opener