/ English Dictionary

START

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of starting something

Example:

he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations

Synonyms:

beginning; commencement; start

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

change of state (the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "start"):

startup (the act of setting in operation)

scrum; scrummage ((rugby) the method of beginning play in which the forwards of each team crouch side by side with locked arms; play starts when the ball is thrown in between them and the two sides compete for possession)

recommencement; resumption (beginning again)

kickoff ((football) a kick from the center of the field to start a football game or to resume it after a score)

jump ball ((basketball) the way play begins or resumes when possession is disputed; an official tosses the ball up between two players who jump in an effort to tap it to a teammate)

installation; installing; installment; instalment (the act of installing something (as equipment))

creation; foundation; founding; initiation; innovation; instauration; institution; introduction; origination (the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new)

inauguration; startup (the act of starting a new operation or practice)

icebreaker (a beginning that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere)

housing start (the act of starting to construct a house)

groundbreaking; groundbreaking ceremony (the ceremonial breaking of the ground to formally begin a construction project)

first step; initiative; opening; opening move (the first of a series of actions)

face-off ((ice hockey) the method of starting play; a referee drops the puck between two opposing players)

debut; entry; first appearance; introduction; launching; unveiling (the act of beginning something new)

constitution; establishment; formation; organisation; organization (the act of forming or establishing something)

attack; tone-beginning (a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase)

activation (making active and effective (as a bomb))

jumping-off point; point of departure; springboard (a beginning from which an enterprise is launched)

Instance hyponyms:

Creation ((theology) God's act of bringing the universe into existence)

Antonym:

finish (the act of finishing)

Derivation:

start (take the first step or steps in carrying out an action)

start (set in motion, cause to start)

start (play in the starting lineup)

start (bring into being)

start (get off the ground)

start (begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job)

start (begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object)

start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

start (have a beginning characterized in some specified way)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)

Example:

his starting meant that the coach thought he was one of their best linemen

Synonyms:

start; starting

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

play; turn ((game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession)

Derivation:

start (play in the starting lineup)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A sudden involuntary movement

Example:

he awoke with a start

Synonyms:

jump; start; startle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

inborn reflex; innate reflex; instinctive reflex; physiological reaction; reflex; reflex action; reflex response; unconditioned reflex (an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "start"):

flinch; wince (a reflex response to sudden pain)

Moro reflex; startle reflex (a normal reflex of young infants; a sudden loud noise causes the child to stretch out the arms and flex the legs)

startle reaction; startle response (a complicated involuntary reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus (especially a loud noise); involves flexion of most skeletal muscles and a variety of visceral reactions)

Derivation:

start (move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)

Example:

with an hour's start he will be hard to catch

Synonyms:

head start; start

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

advantage; vantage (the quality of having a superior or more favorable position)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A signal to begin (as in a race)

Example:

the runners awaited the start

Synonyms:

start; starting signal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

sign; signal; signaling (any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message)

Sense 6

Meaning:

The beginning of anything

Example:

it was off to a good start

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

beginning (the event consisting of the start of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "start"):

racing start (the start of a race)

kickoff; send-off; start-off (a start given to contestants)

curtain raising; opening; opening night (the first performance (as of a theatrical production))

alpha (the beginning of a series or sequence)

opener (the first event in a series)

flying start; running start (a quick and auspicious beginning)

dawn; morning (the earliest period)

oncoming; onset (the beginning or early stages)

thelarche (the start of breast development in a woman at the beginning of puberty)

menarche (the first occurrence of menstruation in a woman)

adrenarche (the increase in activity of the adrenal glands just before puberty)

Derivation:

start (have a beginning characterized in some specified way)

start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

start (begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object)

start (begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job)

start (get off the ground)

start (bring into being)

start (set in motion, cause to start)

start (take the first step or steps in carrying out an action)

Sense 7

Meaning:

A line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game

Synonyms:

scratch; scratch line; start; starting line

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

line (in games or sports; a mark indicating positions or bounds of the playing area)

Sense 8

Meaning:

The time at which something is supposed to begin

Example:

she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her

Synonyms:

beginning; commencement; first; get-go; kickoff; offset; outset; showtime; start; starting time

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Hypernyms ("start" is a kind of...):

point; point in time (an instant of time)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "start"):

birth (the time when something begins (especially life))

incipience; incipiency (beginning to exist or to be apparent)

starting point; terminus a quo (earliest limiting point)

threshold (the starting point for a new state or experience)

Derivation:

start (take the first step or steps in carrying out an action)

start (set in motion, cause to start)

start (bring into being)

start (get off the ground)

start (begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job)

start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

Example:

Let's get down to work now

Synonyms:

begin; commence; get; get down; set about; set out; start; start out

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Verb group:

begin (begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

bestir oneself; get cracking; get going; get moving; get rolling; get started; get weaving (start to be active)

embark; enter (set out on (an enterprise or subject of study))

come on (occur or become available)

launch; plunge (begin with vigor)

break in (start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role)

attack (set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task)

auspicate (commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck)

get to (arrive at the point of)

jump off (set off quickly, usually with success)

fall (begin vigorously)

strike out (set out on a course of action)

recommence (begin again)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing

Sentence examples:

They start to move

They start moving

Derivation:

starter (any new participant in some activity)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the act of starting something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Set in motion, cause to start

Example:

begin a new chapter in your life

Synonyms:

begin; commence; lead off; start

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Cause:

begin; start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

Verb group:

begin (have a beginning, of a temporal event)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

commence; embark on; start; start up (get off the ground)

set off (set in motion or cause to begin)

inaugurate; introduce; usher in (be a precursor of)

recommence (cause to start anew)

jump-start; jumpstart (start or re-start vigorously)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Play in the starting lineup

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

play (participate in games or sport)

Domain category:

athletics; sport (an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start; starting (a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning))

Sense 4

Meaning:

Bring into being

Example:

Start a foundation

Synonyms:

initiate; originate; start

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

create; make (make or cause to be or to become)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

initiate; lead up (set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for)

set (apply or start)

date back; date from; go back (belong to an earlier time)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

starter (any new participant in some activity)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Get off the ground

Example:

The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack

Synonyms:

commence; embark on; start; start up

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

begin; commence; lead off; start (set in motion, cause to start)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

inaugurate; kick off (commence officially)

open (begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the act of starting something)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Get going or set in motion

Example:

start up the computer

Synonyms:

start; start up

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Cause:

get going; go; start (begin or set in motion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

jump; jump-start; jumpstart (start (a car engine whose battery is dead) by connecting it to another car's battery)

crank; crank up (start by cranking)

re-start; restart (start an engine again, for example)

hot-wire (start (a car engine) without a key by bypassing the ignition interlock)

kick-start (start (a motorcycle) by means of a kick starter)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Antonym:

stop (cause to stop)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Begin or set in motion

Example:

Ready, set, go!

Synonyms:

get going; go; start

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

come on; come up; go on (start running, functioning, or operating)

get off the ground; take off (get started or set in motion, used figuratively)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Antonym:

stop (come to a halt, stop moving)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm

Example:

She startled when I walked into the room

Synonyms:

jump; start; startle

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

shy (start suddenly, as from fright)

boggle (startle with amazement or fear)

rear back (start with anger or resentment or in protest)

jackrabbit (go forward or start with a fast, sudden movement)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

start (a sudden involuntary movement)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Leave

Example:

The family took off for Florida

Synonyms:

depart; part; set forth; set off; set out; start; start out; take off

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

go away; go forth; leave (go away from a place)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

sally forth; sally out (set out in a sudden, energetic or violent manner)

blaze; blaze out (move rapidly and as if blazing)

roar off (leave)

lift off; take off (depart from the ground)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

These cars won't start

Sense 10

Meaning:

Bulge outward

Example:

His eyes popped

Synonyms:

bug out; bulge; bulge out; come out; pop; pop out; protrude; start

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

change form; change shape; deform (assume a different shape or form)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 11

Meaning:

Begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job

Example:

start a new job

Synonyms:

start; take up

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

take office (assume an office, duty, or title)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

Sense 12

Meaning:

Begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object

Example:

We started physics in 10th grade

Synonyms:

begin; start

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Verb group:

begin; start (have a beginning characterized in some specified way)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

Sense 13

Meaning:

Have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense

Example:

Prices for these homes start at $250,000

Synonyms:

begin; start

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Verb group:

begin; start (have a beginning characterized in some specified way)

begin (have a beginning, of a temporal event)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "start"):

break out; erupt (start abruptly)

bud (start to grow or develop)

break out (begin suddenly and sometimes violently)

kick in; set in (enter a particular state)

dawn (appear or develop)

originate (begin a trip at a certain point, as of a plane, train, bus, etc.)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Something ----s something

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

start (the time at which something is supposed to begin)

Sense 14

Meaning:

Have a beginning characterized in some specified way

Example:

The semester begins with a convocation ceremony

Synonyms:

begin; start

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "start" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Verb group:

begin; start (begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object)

begin; start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

begin (be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a series)

Sentence frame:

Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

start (the act of starting something)

start (the beginning of anything)

Credits

 Context examples: 

"Come away, Massas, come away!" he cried, his eyes starting from his head.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Changes and symptoms can start several years earlier.

(Menopause, Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health)

The medical history dataset includes the subject's prior history at the start of the trial.

(Medical History Domain, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

A starting point to which things may be compared.

(Baseline, NCI Thesaurus)

The age of a person at the start of a specific event.

(Age Started, NCI Thesaurus)

To cause something to start or to stimulate activity.

(Activation, NCI Thesaurus)

The number of asteroid impacts to the Moon and Earth increased by two to three times starting around 290 million years ago.

(Moon Data Sheds Light on Earth’s Asteroid Impact History, NASA)

The time at which and adverse event starts.

(Adverse Event Start Time, NCI Thesaurus)

The calendar date on which an adverse event starts.

(Adverse Event Start Date, NCI Thesaurus)

The wind died down in the afternoon, and we were prepared to start the following morning.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

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