a person or thing that starts.

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

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

a person or thing that starts in a race or contest

Only five starters finished the race.

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

Cookery . sourdough ( def. 1 ) .

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

Cribbage . the card turned face up on the stack before the play.

constituting a basis or beginning

a starter set of dishes; a starter home.

for starters

Informal . as the first step or part; initially; first

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