start

I. start¹ S1 W1 /stɑːt $ stɑːrt/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑start, ↑starter ≠ NON-STARTER, ↑restart; verb: ↑start, ↑restart]
[Language: Old English; Origin: styrtan 'to jump']
1. BEGIN DOING SOMETHING [intransitive and transitive] to do something that you were not doing before, and continue doing it SYN begin:
There’s so much to do I don’t know where to start.
Have you started your homework?
start doing something
Then the baby started crying.
start to do something
It’s starting to rain.
He got up and started running again.
I’d better get started (=start doing something) soon.
start somebody doing something
What Kerry said started me thinking (=made me start thinking).
2. BEGIN HAPPENING [intransitive and transitive] (also start off) to begin happening, or to make something begin happening:
What time does the film start?
Lightning started a fire that burned 500 acres.
The party was just getting started when Sara arrived.
starting (from) now/tomorrow/next week etc
You have two hours to complete the test, starting now.
3. BEGIN IN A PARTICULAR WAY [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] (also start off) to begin something in a particular way, or to begin in a particular way:
A healthy breakfast is a good way to start the day.
start with
The festivities started with a huge fireworks display.
start as
The restaurant started as a small take-out place.
start badly/well/slowly etc
Any new exercise program should start slowly.
start (something) by doing something
Chao starts by explaining some basic legal concepts.
4. BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION [transitive] (also start up) to make something begin to exist
start a business/company/firm etc
She wanted to start her own catering business.
5. JOB/SCHOOL [intransitive and transitive] to begin a new job, or to begin going to school, college etc:
When can you start?
start school/college/work
I started college last week.
6. CAR/ENGINE ETC [intransitive and transitive] (also start up) if you start a car or engine, or if it starts, it begins to work:
The car wouldn’t start this morning.
get the car/engine etc started
He couldn’t get his motorbike started.
7. BEGIN GOING SOMEWHERE [intransitive] (also start off/out) to begin travelling or moving in a particular direction SYN set out:
We’ll have to start early to get there by lunchtime.
8. LIFE/PROFESSION [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] (also start off/out) to begin your life or profession in a particular way or place
start as/in
She started as a dancer in the 1950s.
It’s difficult for new lawyers to get started in private practice.
9. ROAD/RIVER/PATH ETC [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a river, road, path etc starts somewhere, it begins in that place:
The trail starts immediately behind the hotel.
start in/at
The race will start at the town hall.
10. PRICES/AMOUNTS [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if prices, amounts, or rates start at or from a particular number, that is the lowest number at which you can get or buy something
start at/from
Room prices start from £25 a night.
11. start from scratch/zero to begin doing a job or activity completely from the beginning:
There were no textbooks, so the teachers had to start from scratch.
12. DELIBERATELY BEGIN SOMETHING [transitive] to deliberately make something start happening, especially something bad:
I started a fire to warm the place up.
start a fight/argument
Oh, don’t go trying to start an argument.
Other girls were starting rumours about me.
13. to start with spoken
a) said when talking about the beginning of a situation, especially when it changes later:
I was pretty nervous to start with, but after a while I was fine.
b) said to emphasize the first of a list of facts or opinions you are stating:
There are problems. To start with, neither of us likes housework.
14. be back where you started to try to do something and fail, so that you finish in the same situation that you were in before:
A lot of people who lose weight gain it back over time, and end up back where they started.
15. SPORTS [intransitive and transitive] if a player starts in a game, or if someone starts them, they begin playing when the game begins, especially because they are one of the best players on the team
start for
Astacio started for the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
16. start a family to have your first baby:
We’re not ready to start a family yet.
17. start afresh/anew to stop doing what you are doing and begin doing it again in a better or different way:
She saw her new job as a chance to start afresh.
18. somebody started it! spoken used to say that someone else has caused an argument or problem:
‘Don’t hit her!’ ‘But she started it!’
19. start something/anything to begin causing trouble:
It looks like Jess is trying to start something.
20. MOVE SUDDENLY [intransitive] to move your body suddenly, especially because you are surprised or afraid SYN jump:
A loud knock at the door made her start.
start from
Emma started from her chair and rushed to the window.
21. start young to begin doing something when you are young, especially when it is unusual to do it:
Woods started young, and was coached by his father.
22. don’t (you) start! British English spoken used to tell someone to stop complaining, arguing, or annoying you:
‘Mum, I don’t like this ice cream.’ ‘Oh, don’t you start!’
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to start doing something
▪ start to begin doing something: I’m starting a new job next week. | It’s time we started.
▪ begin to start doing something. Begin is more formal than start, and is used especially in written English: He began to speak. | The orchestra began playing. | Shall we begin?
▪ commence formal to start doing something: The company will commence drilling next week. | Work was commenced on the next power station.
▪ get down to something to finally start doing something, especially your work: Come on, Sam – it’s time you got down to some homework. | We’d better get down to business.
▪ set off to start a journey: What time do you have to set off in the morning? | I usually set off for work at about 8.30.
▪ set out to start a long journey: The ship set out from Portsmouth on July 12th.
▪ embark on something especially written to start something, especially something new, difficult, or exciting: The Law Society has embarked on a major programme of reform. | Jamaica was embarking on a decade of musical creativity.
▪ resume formal to start doing something again after stopping it or being interrupted: Normal train services will be resumed on April 5th. | Trade was resumed after the end of the war.
▪ get cracking informal to start doing something or going somewhere: I think we should get cracking straightaway.
■ to start happening
▪ start/begin to begin: What time does the film start?
▪ begin to start. Begin is more formal than start and is used especially in written English: The trial began in March. | Work on the new bridge will begin early next year.
▪ open to start being shown to the public – used about a play, show, or exhibition: Lloyd Webber’s new musical opened in London last week. | A major exhibition of her work will open in New York in November.
▪ commence formal to start happening: The voting has already commenced. | The work is scheduled to commence in April.
▪ get under way to start happening or being done – used especially about something that is likely to last a long time: Construction work is getting under way on a new train network. | Discussions concerning the plan got under way on April 2.
▪ break out to start happening – used especially about a fire, a fight, war, or a disease: Police were called in when fighting broke out in the crowd. | The blaze broke out on the third floor of the hotel.
▪ kick off informal to start – used especially about a football game or a meeting: The match is due to kick off this afternoon at Wembley Stadium. | What time will the celebrations kick off?
start back phrasal verb
to begin returning to the place you came from
start back to/down/up etc
I started back down the mountain to camp.
start in phrasal verb American English
1. to begin doing something, especially with a lot of effort:
I decided to just start in and see what I could do.
start in on
Lilly started in on her burger.
2. to begin criticizing someone or complaining to them about something
start in on
Mom turned away from Rose and started in on me.
start off phrasal verb
1. to begin something in a particular way, or to begin in a particular way
start something ↔ off with something/by doing something
The theater company started off their new season with a Shakespeare play.
start off with something/by doing something
I started off by drawing the flowers I had collected.
2. to be a particular thing or have a particular quality at the beginning of something, especially when this changes later:
The puppies start off white, and get their black spots later.
start off as
The games start off as a social event, but players soon become competitive.
I started off as a drummer.
3. start something ↔ off to make something begin happening:
We’re not sure what starts the process off.
4. start somebody ↔ off to help someone begin an activity
start somebody ↔ off with
He started me off with some stretching exercises.
5. to begin going somewhere:
I sat in the car for a few minutes before starting off.
start off to/towards/back etc
She started off to school in her new uniform.
6. start somebody off British English informal to make someone get angry or start laughing, by saying something:
Don’t say that; that’ll just start him off.
start somebody off doing something
He made her jump, and that started her off giggling.
start on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to begin doing something or using something:
You’d better start on your homework.
2. start somebody on something to make someone start doing something regularly, especially because it will be good for them:
Try starting your baby on solid foods at four months old.
3. British English informal to begin criticizing someone or complaining to them about something
start on somebody/something at
Ray’s wife started on at him about spending too much time in the pub.
start out phrasal verb
1. to begin happening or existing in a particular way, especially when this changes later
start out as
‘The Star’ started out as a small weekly newspaper.
The leaves start out a pale green, and later get darker.
2. to begin your life or profession, or an important period of time:
When the band first started out, they played at small clubs.
start out as
She started out as a model.
start out on
young couples starting out on their life together
3. to begin going somewhere:
Oliver started out at five, when it was still dark.
start over phrasal verb American English
to start doing something again from the beginning, especially because you want to do it better:
If you make a mistake, just erase it and start over.
start up phrasal verb
1. if you start up a business, company etc, or it starts up, it begins to exist:
Tax breaks help new companies start up.
start something ↔ up
Jordan started up a band of his own.
2. if an engine, car etc starts up, or you start it up, it begins working:
The driver got back into the car and started up.
start something ↔ up
Rory started up the engine and got the vehicle moving.
3. if a sound, activity, or event starts up, it begins to exist or happen:
The crickets had started up now that it was evening.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

start

start [start starts started starting] verb, noun [stɑːt] [stɑːrt]

verb

DOING STH
1. transitive, intransitive to begin doing or using sth
• ~ sth I start work at nine.
• He's just started a new job.
• I only started (= began to read) this book yesterday.
• We need to start (= begin using) a new jar of coffee.
• The kids start school next week.
• ~ to do sth It started to rain.
• Mistakes were starting to creep in.
• ~ doing sth She started laughing.
• ~ (on sth) It's a long story. Where shall I start?
• It's time you started on your homework.
• Can you start (= a new job) on Monday?
• ~ by doing sth Let's start by reviewing what we did last week.

• + adj. The best professional musicians start young.

HAPPENING

2. intransitive, transitive to start happening; to make sth start happening
• When does the class start?
• Have you any idea where the rumour started?
• ~ sth Who started the fire?
• Do you start the day with a good breakfast?
• You're always trying to start an argument.

• ~ sb/sth doing sth The news started me thinking.

MACHINE/VEHICLE

3. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) when you start a machine or a vehicle or it starts, it begins to operate
• Start the engines!
• I can't get the car started.

• The car won't start.

EXISTING

4. intransitive, transitive to begin to exist; to make sth begin to exist
• ~ (up) There are a lot of small businesses starting up in that area.
• ~ sth (up) They decided to start a catering business.

• She started a yoga class at work.

JOURNEY

5. intransitive ~ (out) to begin a journey; to leave
Syn: set off, Syn: set out

• What time are we starting tomorrow?

GOING/WALKING

6. intransitive + adv./prep. to begin to move in a particular direction
• I started after her (= began to follow her) to tell her the news.

• He started for the door, but I blocked his way.

IN PARTICULAR WAY/FROM PLACE/LEVEL

7. intransitive, transitive to begin, or to begin sth such as a career, in a particular way that changed later
• ~ as sth She started as a secretary but ended up running the department.
• ~ out/off (as sth) The company started out with 30 employees.

• ~ sth (as sth) He started life as a teacher before turning to journalism.

8. intransitive + adv./prep. to begin from a particular place, amount or situation
• The trail starts just outside the town.
• Hotel prices start at €50 a night for a double room.

• The evening started badly when the speaker failed to turn up.

MOVE SUDDENLY

9. intransitive to move suddenly and quickly because you are surprised or afraid
Syn: jump
• The sudden noise made her start.
more at alarm bells ring/start ringing at alarm _n., get/set/start/keep the ball rolling at ball _n., get/start off on the right/wrong foot at foot _n.

Word Origin:
Old English styrtan ‘to caper, leap’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch storten ‘push’ and German stürzen ‘fall headlong, fling’. From the sense ‘sudden movement’ arose the sense ‘initiation of movement, setting out on a journey’ and hence ‘beginning of a process, etc.’.
Thesaurus:
start verb
1. T, I
• He's just started a new job.
begin • • open • • take sth up • • set about sth • • go about sth • • set sth up • • set/put sth in motion • |formal commence • • embark on/upon sth • • initiate • • institute • |especially business journalism launch •
Opp: finish, Opp: stop
start/begin/take up/set about/go about/commence doing sth
start/begin to do sth
start/begin/open/embark on/initiate/institute/launch a/an campaign/inquiry
start/begin/set in motion/embark on/initiate/institute/set up/launch a scheme
Start or begin? Compare:
• ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he began.
¤ ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he started.:
• Who started the fire?
• I can't start the car
¤ Who began the fire?
• ¤ I can't begin the car.
2. I
• When does the class start?
begin • • start off • • open • |informal kick off • |formal commence •
Opp: finish
start/begin/start off/open/kick off/commence with sth
start/begin/start off/open/kick off/commence by doing sth
a campaign/competition/match/meeting starts/begins/starts off/opens/kicks off/commences
a film/book/chapter starts/begins/starts off/opens
3. T, I
• Start the engines!
start sth up • • turn sth on • • switch sth on •
Opp: stop
start/start up/turn on/switch on a machine/motor/engine
start/turn on/switch on the ignition
Start or start up? Only start is used in the phrases get sth started and sth won't start. Use start sth up to talk about computers.
4. I
• They started out early for Saigon.
set off • • take off • • set sail • • leave • |formal depart • |especially written set out •
start/set off/take off/set sail/leave/depart/set out for/from sth
start (out)/set off/take off/set sail/set out on a journey, voyage, etc.
start/set off/take off/leave/depart/set out early
Synonyms:
start
begin • start off • kick off • commence • open
These words are all used to talk about things happening from the beginning, or people doing the first part of sth.
start • to begin to happen or exist; to begin in a particular way or from a particular point: ▪ When does the class start?
begin • to start to happen or exist; to start in a particular way or from a particular point; to start speaking: ▪ When does the concert begin?
start or begin?
There is not much difference in meaning between these words. Start is more frequent in spoken English and in business contexts; begin is more frequent in written English and is often used when you are describing a series of events: ▪ The story begins on the island of Corfu. Start is not used to mean ‘begin speaking’: ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he started.
start off • (rather informal) to start happening or doing sth; to start by doing or being sth: ▪ The discussion started off mildly enough.
kick off • (informal) to start an event or activity, especially in a particular way; (of an event, activity, etc.) to start, especially in a particular way: ▪ Tom will kick off with a few comments. ◊ ▪ The festival kicks off on Monday, September 13.
commence • (formal) to start happening: ▪ The meeting is scheduled to commence at noon.
open • to start an event or activity in a particular way; (of an event, film/movie or book) to start, especially in a particular way: ▪ The story opens with a murder.
to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open with sth
to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open by doing sth
to start/begin/start off/commence as sth
a campaign/season/meeting starts/begins/starts off/kicks off/commences/opens
a film/movie/book starts/begins/starts off/opens
Which Word?:
begin / start
There is not much difference in meaning between begin and start, though start is more common in spoken English: ▪ What time does the concert start/begin? ◊ ▪ She started/began working here three months ago. Begin is often used when you are describing a series of events: ▪ The story begins on the island of Corfu. Start, but not begin, can also mean ‘to start a journey’, ‘to start something happening’ or ‘to start a machine working’: ▪ We’ll need to start at 7.00. ◊ ▪ Who do you think started the fire? ◊ ▪ The car won’t start.
You can use either an infinitive or a form with -ing after begin and start, with no difference in meaning: ▪ I didn’t start worrying/to worry until she was 2 hours late.
After the forms beginning and starting, the -ing form of the verb is not normally used: ▪ It’s starting/beginning to rain. ◊ It’s starting/beginning raining.
Example Bank:
• A new term was about to start.
• At that point I just started to hate the man.
• By early evening he was ready to start work.
• He has just started at school.
• Her heart suddenly started to race.
• I'll have to start again from scratch.
• I've finished decorating the bathroom, so now I can start on the bedroom.
• If you want to learn about frogs, this book is an excellent place to start.
• It started as a hobby and grew from there.
• It's already late, so I think we should get started.
• It's time to start thinking about next year.
• Let's start with this first piece of music.
• She started up a conversation with the woman sitting next to her.
• Start from the beginning and tell me exactly what happened.
• We'll just have to start all over again.
• We'll start off by doing some warm-up exercises.
• Work is due to start this weekend.
• You'd better start packing if you're to leave early tomorrow morning.
• He's just started a new job.
• Hotel prices start at £65 a night for a double room.
• I only started this book yesterday.
• It's time you started on your homework.
• We need to start a new jar of coffee.
• You're always trying to start an argument.
• I can't get the car started.
• I should get there by the afternoon if I start early.
• Make sure you've got everything before we start.
• She had started out late for the meeting.
• The car won't start.
• They had started out from Saigon the previous day.
• They started out at five o'clock in the morning.
• What time do we start?
Idioms: don't start ▪ for a start ▪ get started ▪ start something ▪ start with ▪ you/he/she started it

Derived: start back ▪ start off ▪ start on about something ▪ start on at somebody ▪ start on somebody ▪ start out ▪ start over ▪ start somebody off ▪ start something up ▪ start up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

start / stɑːt / / stɑːrt / verb (BEGIN)

A1 [ I or T ] to begin doing something:

When do you start your course/your new job?

We'll be starting (the session) at six o'clock.

Can you start (= begin a new job) on Monday?

[ + -ing verb ] They started build ing the house in January.

[ + to infinitive ] I'd just started to write a letter when the phone rang.

B2 [ I or T ] ( also start up ) If a business or other organization starts, or if someone starts one, it is created and starts to operate:

She started her own software company.

A lot of new restaurants have started up in the region.

B1 [ I or T ] to begin to happen or to make something begin to happen:

A new series of wildlife programmes has started on Monday evenings.

Police believe the fire was started by arsonists.

A1 [ I or T ] to begin a set of activities with the thing or person mentioned:

The speaker started with a description of her journey to China.

Give me your answers one by one, starting with Lucy.

You could start by weed ing the flowerbeds.

He started his working life as an engineer but later became a teacher.

[ I ] informal to begin to complain or be annoying in some way:

Don't start - we're not going and that's that!

informal "It would help if Richard did some work." "Oh, don't get me started on Richard!"

get started to begin:

When can we get started?

start a family

to have your first child

start work to begin being employed:

He started work at 16 in a local bakers.

to start with B2 at the beginning, or as the first of several things:

We only knew two people in London to start with, but we soon made friends.

To start with, we need better computers - then we need more training.

start / stɑːt / / stɑːrt / verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] (FIRST POINT)

to begin at one point and then move to another, in distance or range:

The bus starts at/from the main depot.

We'll need to start (off/out) early because the journey takes six hours.

Tell me what happened - start at the beginning .

Ticket prices start at/from £20 and go up to £100.

start / stɑːt / / stɑːrt / verb [ I ] (MOVE SUDDENLY)

to move your body suddenly because something has surprised or frightened you:

He started at the sound of the phone.

start / stɑːt / / stɑːrt / verb [ I or T ] ( also start up ) (WORK)

B2 to (cause to) begin to work or operate:

I'm having trouble starting the car.

The engine won't start.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

start

/stɑ:(r)t/
(starts, starting, started)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
If you start to do something, you do something that you were not doing before and you continue doing it.
John then unlocked the front door and I started to follow him up the stairs...
It was 1956 when Susanna started the work on the garden...
She started cleaning the kitchen.
= begin
VERB: V to-inf, V n/-ing, V n/-ing
•
Start is also a noun.
After several starts, she read the report properly.
N-COUNT

2.
When something starts, or if someone starts it, it takes place from a particular time.
The fire is thought to have started in an upstairs room...
The Great War started in August of that year...
All of the passengers started the day with a swim.
= begin
VERB: V prep, V prep, V n
•
Start is also a noun.
...1918, four years after the start of the Great War...
She demanded to know why she had not been told from the start.
= beginning
N-SING: the N

3.
If you start by doing something, or if you start with something, you do that thing first in a series of actions.
I started by asking how many day-care centers were located in the United States...
He started with a good holiday in Key West, Florida.
= begin
VERB: V by -ing, V with n

4.
You use start to say what someone’s first job was. For example, if their first job was that of a factory worker, you can say that they started as a factory worker.
Betty started as a shipping clerk at the clothes factory...
VERB: V as n
•
Start off means the same as start.
Mr. Dambar had started off as an assistant to Mrs. Spear’s husband.
PHRASAL VERB: V P as n

5.
When someone starts something such as a new business, they create it or cause it to begin.
Now is probably as good a time as any to start a business.
VERB: V n
•
Start up means the same as start.
The cost of starting up a day care center for children ranges from $150,000 to $300,000...
He said what a good idea it would be to start a community magazine up.
= set up
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P
see also start-up

6.
If you start an engine, car, or machine, or if it starts, it begins to work.
He started the car, which hummed smoothly...
We were just passing one of the parking bays when a car’s engine started.
VERB: V n, V
•
Start up means the same as start.
He waited until they went inside the building before starting up the car and driving off...
Put the key in the ignition and turn it to start the car up...
The engine of the seaplane started up.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P, V P

7.
If you start, your body suddenly moves slightly as a result of surprise or fear.
She put the bottle on the table, banging it down hard. He started at the sound...
VERB: V
•
Start is also a noun.
Sylvia woke with a start...
He gave a start of surprise and astonishment.
N-COUNT: usu sing

8.
see also head start, false start

9.
You use for a start or to start with to introduce the first of a number of things or reasons that you want to mention or could mention.
You must get her name and address, and that can be a problem for a start...
PHRASE: PHR with cl/group

10.
If you get off to a good start, you are successful in the early stages of doing something. If you get off to a bad start, you are not successful in the early stages of doing something.
The new Prime Minister has got off to a good start, but he still has to demonstrate what manner of leader he is going to be...
PHRASE: V inflects

11.
To start with means at the very first stage of an event or process.
To start with, the pressure on her was very heavy, but it’s eased off a bit now...
PHRASE: PHR with cl

12.
in fits and starts: see fit
to get off to a flying start: see flying

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹start /ˈstɑɚt/ verb starts; start·ed; start·ing
1 a : to do the first part of something : to begin doing something

[+ obj]

• They started clearing land for the new housing development.
• He started the speech (out) with a joke.
• He started studying music at the age of five.
• She saw her divorce as an opportunity to start a new life. = She saw her divorce as an opportunity to start life anew/afresh/over.

[no obj]

• As soon as you're ready to play, we'll start.
• Let's start with some warm-up exercises.
• He deleted what he wrote and started fresh/again/over.
• Nothing like this had ever been done before, so we had to start from scratch. [=we had to begin from a point at which nothing had been done yet]
• Olympic athletes start young and train hard.
• The tire tracks at the scene of the crime were a starting point for investigators. [=investigators used the tire tracks to start their investigation]
b [+ obj] : to begin to work on, produce, or give attention to (something)
• I started the quilt last month.
• Have you started your book report?
• Did you start (reading) the book yet?
c [+ obj] : to cause (something) to begin
• We started the meeting at 6:30. : to cause (something) to begin in a specified way
• She started the meeting with a brief review of the previous meeting.
• He starts every day with a cup of coffee.
d [+ obj] : to begin to have a feeling, thought, etc. - usually followed by to + verb
• She started to feel dizzy soon after the accident.
• I'm starting to think the oversight was intentional.
- sometimes + -ing verb
• She started feeling dizzy soon after the accident.
• He started having chest pains.
e : to begin working at a new job or going to school

[+ obj]

• I start my new job next Monday.
• When does she start school?

[no obj]

• I just got a new job. I start next week.
2 a : to begin to happen, to exist, to be done, etc.

[no obj]

• The fire started in the cellar.
• The rain will start soon and should end sometime this evening.
• The game started late.
• Starting next week, all employees will be required to wear ID tags.
• The movie just started.
• What is the movie's starting time?
• When does school start?
• The game was just starting when it began to rain.

[+ obj]

- often followed by to + verb
• It started to rain.
• The leaves are starting to change colors.
- often + -ing verb
• It started raining.
b [+ obj] : to cause (something) to exist or happen
• He started a scholarship fund.
• The tradition was started many years ago.
• “Stop fighting, you two!” “He started it.” [=he did something to cause the fight]
• She's always starting arguments.
• They want to start a family [=begin to have children] soon.
3 a [no obj] : to begin to function or operate
• The car/engine won't start.
b [+ obj] : to cause (something) to begin to function or operate
• She started the car and drove away.
4 [+ obj] : to begin the use of (something)
• You'll have to start a new roll of tape. This one's empty.
5 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj]
a : to have a particular beginning : to begin at a specified place or in a specified way
• The English alphabet starts with A and ends with Z.
• The first word in a sentence should start with a capital letter.
• The parade starts at the intersection of First and Main.
• The path/trail starts here and ends at the lake.
b : to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the beginning - often + as
• What started (off) as a simple idea has become an expensive and complicated project.
• She started (out) as a sales assistant but is now the marketing director.
6 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
• We'll start for home soon.
• We should start back to the camp before it gets dark.
• He started toward the door.
• The dog started after the squirrel.
7 [no obj]
- used to indicate the beginning of a range, series, etc.; often + at
• The rates start at $10 per hour.
• At his company, salaries start at around $30,000. [=$30,000 is the lowest salary]
• Interest rates for CDs were starting at 3.9 percent.
• What is the starting salary for the job? [=what is the salary people are paid when they start the job?]
• The starting price [=the basic price when nothing extra has been added] for the car is $18,000.
8 a : to participate in a game or contest at its beginning

[no obj]

• Despite his injury, he'll start in center field today.
• The manager removed the starting pitcher [=the pitcher who was playing at the beginning of the game] in the third inning.
• He's in the starting lineup. [=a list of the players who will be playing when the game begins]
- often + for
• Who's starting for the home team?

[+ obj]

• He'll start today's game in center field.
• a pitcher who has started five games so far this year
• She started the race but wasn't able to finish.
b [+ obj] : to put (someone or something) into a game or contest at its beginning
• The coach is starting him at quarterback for the next game.
• He plans to start [=enter] the horse in only a few races this year.
9 [+ obj]
a : to cause (someone) to begin doing something
• Her questions started me thinking. : to cause (someone) to begin a job or activity in a particular way, at a particular level, etc.
• The company started him at the same salary he had been getting at his previous job.
b : to cause (someone) to begin talking about a particular subject
• “What do you think of the new boss?” “Don't get me started. I can't stand him.”
- often + on
• Don't get him started on the war: he'll never stop!
10 [no obj] : to move suddenly and quickly because you are surprised or frightened
• The loud noise made him start. [=jump]
• The horse started when the shot rang out.
11 [no obj] informal : to begin complaining, arguing, etc.
• He started with me, so I hit him.
• Don't (you) start (with me). I made a mistake—that's the end of it.
get started : to begin doing or working on something
• You (had) better get started if you want to finish on time.
• newlyweds who are just getting started [=who are just starting their lives together]
start in [phrasal verb] chiefly US informal
1 : to start doing a particular activity or action
• He took a break from painting to eat lunch, then started in again.
- often + on
• She started in on another book.
2 start in on (someone) : to criticize (someone) about something
• My dad started in on me about not having a job.
start off [phrasal verb]
1 start off or start (something) off or start off (something) : to start or cause (something) to start in a specified way
• He started off by introducing himself.
• She started off (her run) at a slow jog.
• The performance started off badly.
- often + with
• I started off my speech with a joke.
• We started off the meal with shrimp cocktails.
• The team started the season off with a 10-game winning streak.
2 : to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
• She started off as a sales assistant but is now the marketing director.
3 : to begin an important period in your life or career
• The house is perfect for a couple just starting off.
4 : to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
• She ate breakfast before starting off for work.
5 start (someone) off or start off (someone) : to cause (someone) to begin doing a particular activity or action
• He started his daughter off on the piano.
• The game-show host started her off with some easy questions.
start on [phrasal verb]
1 start on (something) : to begin doing (something)
• Did you start on your homework yet?
2 start (someone) on (something) : to cause (someone) to start doing or using (something)
• The doctor started him on [=made him start taking] antibiotics.
• When should we start the baby on solid food? [=start feeding the baby solid food]
3 start on at (someone) chiefly Brit informal : to criticize (someone) about something
• Don't start on at me again about spending money!
start out [phrasal verb]
1 : to begin in a specified way
• He started out by introducing himself.
• She started out at a slow jog.
• The day started out hot and humid.
• The story started out good, but I didn't like the ending.
• She started out wanting to be a doctor but became a midwife instead.
- often + with
• I started out with $100 but I have only $10 left.
• Let's start out with some warm-up exercises.
2 : to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
• What started out as a simple idea has become an expensive and complicated project.
• He started out in teaching before becoming a lawyer.
3 : to begin an important period in your life or career
• The couple is just starting out.
• She started out on a career in teaching.
4 : to begin to travel
• They started out in the early morning.
5 : to have a particular place as a beginning point
• The parade starts out at the intersection of First and Main.
start over [phrasal verb] chiefly US
1 start over or start (something) over : to begin doing something again
• I'm sorry, but you'll have to start over. = I'm sorry, but you'll have to start (all) over again.
• She saw her divorce as an opportunity to start (her life) over.
2 : to begin to happen again
• In the spring, the eggs hatch, and the cycle starts over. = The cycle starts (all) over again.
start something also start anything informal : to do something that causes trouble
• She is always trying to start something.
• Don't start anything.
start the ball rolling
- see ¹ball
start up [phrasal verb]
1 : to begin to happen or exist
• New businesses are starting up all over the state.
• The rain started up again.
2 start up or start (something) up or start up (something) : to begin to function or to make (something) begin to function
• The car/engine won't start up.
• He started the lawn mower up.
to start with
1
- used to introduce a statement that is the first in a series of statements
• “I don't think we should buy the car.” “Why not?” “To start with, I'm not sure we can afford it.”
2 : at the beginning : before the current time or situation
• She has lost a lot of weight, and she wasn't very heavy to start with.
• He didn't like his job to start with [=at first, initially], but he got used to it eventually.