noun
Meaning 1
A metal bar on a motorcycle used to start its engine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Phrase guide
kick start
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
noun
Meaning 2
An act of starting a motorcycle by quickly depressing the kick start with one's foot.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- The motorcycle requires a kick start.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
A fast or strong start; help with starting or beginning well.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
- As a kick start for the group, let's write up some ideas.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 4
An impetus that starts or restarts some process.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 5
To start a motorcycle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- He kick started the motorcycle and took off.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 6
To start or begin strongly or quickly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
Examples
- To kick start your learning, let's summarize the basics.
- Kick start your day with a hearty breakfast.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 7
To make (something) active, functional, or productive again; to reinvigorate (an activity, system, or process).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
Examples
- To kick start the economy with a large construction project.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: reinvigorate, revitalize, jump-start
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 8
a starter (as on a motorcycle) that is activated with the foot and the weight of the body
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: kick starter
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: starter, starter motor, starting motor
History
Etymology
From kick + start. Compare push-start.
Across languages
Translations
25 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Chinese Mandarin: 踩發桿 /踩发杆 — metal bar on motorcycle
- Finnish: käynnistyspoljin — metal bar on motorcycle
- French: démarreur au pied — metal bar on motorcycle
- French: pédale de mise en marche — metal bar on motorcycle
- German: Kickstarter — metal bar on motorcycle
- Italian: impianto di avviamento — metal bar on motorcycle
- Portuguese: pedal de arranque — metal bar on motorcycle
- Portuguese: pedal de partida — metal bar on motorcycle
- Spanish: pedal de arranque — metal bar on motorcycle
- Finnish: käynnistyspotku — act of starting a motorcycle
- French: démarrage au kick — act of starting a motorcycle
- Finnish: käynnistyspotku — fast or strong start
- French: début en beauté — fast or strong start
- French: démarrage du bon pied — fast or strong start
- Finnish: käynnistys — impetus that starts a process
- French: coup de fouet — impetus that starts a process
- French: relance — impetus that starts a process
- Finnish: polkaista käyntiin — to start a motorcycle
- French: démarrer au kick — to start a motorcycle
- Finnish: polkaista käyntiin — to start or begin strongly
- French: démarrer en beauté (la journée) — to start or begin strongly
- French: démarrer du bon pied (la journée) — to start or begin strongly
- French: bien commencer (la journée) — to start or begin strongly
- French: commencer en beauté — to start or begin strongly
- French: relancer — to make (something) active, functional, or productive again; to reinvigorate (an activity, system, or process).