kick-start

or kick·start

[ kik-stahrt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to start by means of a kick starter:

   to kick-start a motorcycle.

kick-start

/ ˈkɪkˌstɑːt /

verb

1. to start (a motorcycle engine) by means of a pedal that is kicked downwards
2. informal.
   to make (something) active, functional, or productive again

noun

1. an action or event resulting in the reactivation of something

Derived Forms

• ˈkick-ˌstarter, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kick-start¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The move is part of an effort to harness tourism in Italy to kick-start the economy.

From The Daily Beast

Organized Races Looking for a way to kick-start a cardiovascular training program?

From The Daily Beast

The Doc Incubator matches directors with Newsweek and Daily Beast reporters to kick-start feature-length documentaries.

From The Daily Beast

Reagan managed to kick-start a recovery before he ran for re-election.

From The Daily Beast

If Obama wins, the bar will even kick-start the president-elect's economic recovery with free cosmos for everybody.

From The Daily Beast