starter

[ stahr-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that starts.
2. a person who gives the signal to begin, as for a race, the running of a train, bus, elevator, etc.
3. a device that starts an internal-combustion engine without a need for cranking by hand.
4. a person or thing that starts in a race or contest:

   Only five starters finished the race.

5. Also called start·er cul·ture [stahr, -ter kuhl-cher]. a culture of bacteria used to start a particular fermentation, as in the manufacture of cheese, buttermilk, sour cream, etc. mother ².
6. Also called sour·dough star·ter [souuhr, -doh stahr-ter, sou, -er-].
   1. a mixture of water and flour left to ferment over several days to create dough for sourdough bread.
   2. sourdough ( def 1 ).
7. Slang. a shill, as at a gaming table in a casino.
8. the card turned face up on the stack before the play, as in cribbage, crazy eights, and other card games.

adjective

1. constituting a basis or beginning:

   a starter set of dishes; a starter home.

starter

/ ˈstɑːtə /

noun

1. a device for starting an internal-combustion engine, usually consisting of a powerful electric motor that engages with the flywheel Formerly called self-starter
2. a person who organizes the timely departure of buses, trains, etc
3. a person who supervises and signals the start of a race
4. a competitor who starts in a race or contest
5. informal.
   an acceptable or practicable proposition, plan, idea, etc
6. informal.
   a person who is willing to engage in a particular activity
7. a culture of bacteria used to start fermentation, as in making cheese or yogurt
8. the first course of a meal
9. modifier designed to be used by a novice

   a starter kit

10. for starters slang.
    in the first place
11. under starter's orders
    1. (of horses in a race) awaiting the start signal
    2. (of a person) eager or ready to begin

Word History and Origins

Origin of starter¹

First recorded in 1530–40; start + -er ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. for starters, Informal. as the first step or part; initially; first:

   We will have soup for starters. For starters, he doesn't even know how to drive.

Example Sentences

The strength and depth England have, looking ahead 18-19 months to the World Cup, there is only one nailed-on starter and that is Jordan Pickford.

From BBC

Nothing had been guaranteed when he committed more than 10 months earlier, joining a USC offense that already had a presumptive starter in Miller Moss.

From Los Angeles Times

Said Curl: “We’re basically going against a starter every day in practice. ... It’s not like we’re going through the motions with the scout team.”

From Los Angeles Times

A second sediment core taken from a swamp in what is now an island off the northwestern coast of Lutruwita may provide clues to the fire starters’ intentions.

From Science Magazine

That certainly seemed to be the case last Tuesday as Maiava strolled into a crowd of reporters with a newfound air of confidence, just 24 hours after he’d been named the starter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• opener