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start

1 start /ˈstɑɚt/ verb
starts; started; starting
1 start
/ˈstɑɚt/
verb
starts; started; starting
Britannica Dictionary definition of START
: to do the first part of something : to begin doing something
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object] : to begin to work on, produce, or give attention to (something)
[+ object] : to cause (something) to begin : to cause (something) to begin in a specified way
[+ object] : to begin to have a feeling, thought, etc. usually followed by to + verb
sometimes + -ing verb
: to begin working at a new job or going to school
[+ object]
[no object]
: to begin to happen, to exist, to be done, etc.
[no object]
[+ object]
often followed by to + verb
often + -ing verb
[+ object] : to cause (something) to exist or happen
[no object] : to begin to function or operate
[+ object] : to cause (something) to begin to function or operate
[+ object] : to begin the use of (something)
always followed by an adverb or preposition [no object]
: to have a particular beginning : to begin at a specified place or in a specified way
: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the beginning often + as
always followed by an adverb or preposition, [no object] : to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
[no object] used to indicate the beginning of a range, series, etc. often + at
: to participate in a game or contest at its beginning
[no object]
often + for
[+ object]
[+ object] : to put (someone or something) into a game or contest at its beginning
[+ object]
: to cause (someone) to begin doing something : to cause (someone) to begin a job or activity in a particular way, at a particular level, etc.
: to cause (someone) to begin talking about a particular subject
often + on
10 
[no object] : to move suddenly and quickly because you are surprised or frightened
11 
[no object] informal : to begin complaining, arguing, etc.

get started

: to begin doing or working on something

start in

[phrasal verb] chiefly US, informal
: to start doing a particular activity or action
often + on
start in on (someone) : to criticize (someone) about something

start off

[phrasal verb]
start off or start (something) off or start off (something) : to start or cause (something) to start in a specified way
often + with
: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
: to begin an important period in your life or career
: to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
start (someone) off or start off (someone) : to cause (someone) to begin doing a particular activity or action

start on

[phrasal verb]
start on (something) : to begin doing (something)
start (someone) on (something) : to cause (someone) to start doing or using (something)
start on at (someone) chiefly British, informal : to criticize (someone) about something

start out

[phrasal verb]
: to begin in a specified way
often + with
: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
: to begin an important period in your life or career
: to begin to travel
: to have a particular place as a beginning point

start over

[phrasal verb] chiefly US
start over or start (something) over : to begin doing something again
: to begin to happen again

start something

informal also start anything
: to do something that causes trouble

start the ball rolling

see 1ball

start up

[phrasal verb]
: to begin to happen or exist
start up or start (something) up or start up (something) : to begin to function or to make (something) begin to function

to start with

used to introduce a statement that is the first in a series of statements
: at the beginning : before the current time or situation
2 start /ˈstɑɚt/ noun
plural starts
2 start
/ˈstɑɚt/
noun
plural starts
Britannica Dictionary definition of START
[count] : the time at which something begins usually singular
often + of
[count] : the first part of an activity, development, event, etc. usually singular
often + of
see also flying start, running start, a slow start at 1slow
[count] : the first opportunity to begin a career usually singular
often + in
[count] : the act of starting something
usually singular
see also false start
[singular] : a brief, sudden action or movement
the start : the place where a race begins
[count] sports
: a game in which someone (such as a baseball pitcher) is playing at the beginning
: a race in which a person, horse, etc., participates as a competitor
[count] : head start

by/in fits and starts

see 4fit

for a start

used to introduce a statement that is the first in a series of statements