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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• kick-starting
  present
• kick-started
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• kick-start
  simple
• kick-starts
  simple
• have kick-started
  perfect
• has kick-started
  perfect
• am kick-starting
  progressive
• are kick-starting
  progressive
• is kick-starting
  progressive
• have been kick-starting
  perfect progressive
• has been kick-starting
  perfect progressive

Past

• kick-started
  simple
• had kick-started
  perfect
• was kick-starting
  progressive
• were kick-starting
  progressive
• had been kick-starting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will kick-start
  simple
• will have kick-started
  perfect
• will be kick-starting
  progressive
• will have been kick-starting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of kick-start

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

There’s a strong case for Netflix to kick-start a bidding war after failing to buy Warner.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

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

Earlier last year, the government agreed to a stimulus package of up to around $1 trillion for investments in defense and infrastructure, seeking to kick-start the German economy after years of stagnation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

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

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan