English

Alternative forms

• kick-start

Noun

kick start ‎(plural kick starts)

1. The metal bar on motorcycle that is used to start its engine.
2. The act of starting a motorcycle by quickly depressing the kick start with one's foot.

   The motorcycle requires a kick start.

3. A fast or strong start; help with starting or beginning well.

   As a kick start for the group, let's write up some ideas.

4. An impetus that starts or restarts some process.

Translations

Verb

kick start ‎(third-person singular simple present kick starts, present participle kick starting, simple past and past participle kick started)

1. (transitive) To start a motorcycle
2. (transitive) To start or begin strongly or quickly.

   To kick start your learning, let's summarize the basics.

Usage notes

Noun senses 3 and 4, and verb sense 2, are considered incorrect in some circles; in all probability, the use of kick start to mean "revitalize" or "provide impetus" was derived from the metaphorical use of jump start in that sense.

Translations

See also

• head start
• jump start
• kick off