to begin or set out, as on a journey or activity.

to appear or come suddenly into action, life, view, etc.; rise or issue suddenly forth.

to spring, move, or dart suddenly from a position or place

The rabbit started from the bush.

to be among the entrants in a race or the initial participants in a game or contest.

to give a sudden, involuntary jerk, jump, or twitch, as from a shock of surprise, alarm, or pain

The sudden clap of thunder caused everyone to start.

to protrude

eyes seeming to start from their sockets.

to spring, slip, or work loose from place or fastenings, as timbers or other structural parts.

to set moving, going, or acting; to set in operation

to start an automobile; to start a fire.

to establish or found

to start a new business.

to begin work on

to start a book.

to enable or help (someone) set out on a journey, a career, or the like

The record started the young singer on the road to stardom.

to cause or choose to be an entrant in a game or contest

He started his ace pitcher in the crucial game.

to cause (an object) to work loose from place or fastenings.

to rouse (game) from its lair or covert; flush.

to draw or discharge (liquid or other contents) from a vessel or container; empty (a container).

Archaic . to cause to twitch, jump, or flinch involuntarily; startle.

a beginning of an action, journey, etc.

a signal to move, proceed, or begin, as on a course or in a race.

a place or time from which something begins.

the first part or beginning segment of anything

The start of the book was good but the last half was dull.

an instance of being a participant in a race or an initial participant in a game or contest

The horse won his first two starts.

a sudden, springing movement from a position.

a sudden, involuntary jerking movement of the body

to awake with a start.

a lead or advance of specified amount, as over competitors or pursuers.

the position or advantage of one who starts first

The youngest child should have the start over the rest.

a chance, opportunity, aid, or encouragement given to one starting on a course or career

The bride's parents gave the couple a start by buying them a house.

a spurt of activity.

a starting of parts from their place or fastenings in a structure.

the resulting break or opening.

an outburst or sally, as of emotion, wit, or fancy.

noun

completion , conclusion , death , end , ending , finish , stop , disadvantage

verb

complete , conclude , die , end , finish , stop , ignore

noun

alpha * , birth , bow , commencement , countdown , dawn , dawning , day one , derivation , embarkation , exit , first step , flying start * , foundation , inauguration , inception , initiation , jump-off , kickoff * , leaving , onset , opening , origin , outset , running start , setting out , source , spring , square one * , start-off , takeoff , allowance , backing , break , bulge , chance , draw , edge , handicap , head start , helping hand , introduction , lead , odds , opportunity , sponsorship , vantage , convulsion , jar , jump , scare , shock , spasm , turn , twitch , incipience , incipiency , launch , leadoff , origination , beginning , genesis , nascence , nascency , bolt , startle

verb

activate , appear , arise , arouse , come into being , commence , create , depart , embark , engender , enter upon , establish , found , get going , get under way , go ahead , hit the road * , inaugurate , incite , initiate , instigate , institute , introduce , issue , launch , lay foundation , leave , light , make a beginning , open , originate , pioneer , rise , rouse , sally forth , see light , set in motion , set out , set up , spring , take first step , take the plunge , turn on , blanch , blench , bolt , bounce , bound , buck , dart , draw back , jerk , jump , jump the gun * , leap , quail , recoil , shrink , shy , squinch , startle , twitch , wince , approach , begin , enter , get off , lead off , set about , set to , take on , take up , undertake , constitute , organize , cringe , advantage , beginning , birth , broach , cause , dawn , flinch , form , generate , genesis , go , head , ignite , inception , infancy , jump-start , kickoff , lead , onset , opening , opportunity , outset , provoke , pulse , retreat , root , rush , seed , source , turn