kickstart
kickstart Lexical Profile
kickstart Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To provide an initial boost or stimulus that causes a project, career, or process to begin or progress rapidly.
"The internship helped kickstart her career in environmental journalism."
To start the engine of a motorcycle or similar vehicle by thrusting downward on a foot lever.
"He had to kickstart the old dirt bike several times on the cold morning before the engine finally roared to life."
• noun
An impetus, stimulus, or boost that starts or revives a process, project, or system.
"The government grant provided a much-needed kickstart for the local renewable energy initiative."
A metal lever on a motorcycle that the rider pushes down sharply with the foot to start the engine, or the act of starting an engine using this mechanism.
"Vintage motorcycles often rely on a manual kickstart rather than an electric ignition switch."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 20th century as a compound of 'kick' and 'start', originally referring to the foot-operated lever used to crank the engine of a motorcycle before figurative uses emerged in the late 20th century.