Start Definition

stärt

started, starting, starts

verb

started, starting, starts

To make a sudden, involuntary or unexpected movement, as when surprised; jump, leap, jerk, etc. in a startled way.

Webster's New World

To begin a movement, activity, or undertaking.

She started to dance. The dog started barking. Once we start in, we'll get a feel for the project.

American Heritage

To move on the initial part of a journey.

They started for the summit.

American Heritage

To displace, loosen, warp, etc.

Webster's New World

To stick out or seem to stick out.

Eyes starting in fear.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

noun

starts

An act of beginning; an initial effort.

I made a start on keeping a journal.

American Heritage

A sudden, startled movement; jump, leap, jerk, etc.

Webster's New World

The beginning of a new construction project.

An application for a building start.

American Heritage

A result of an initial effort.

What we did may not sound like much, but it's a start.

American Heritage

Sudden, usually brief bursts of activity.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

abbreviation

Strategic Arms Reduction Talks.

Webster's New World

idiom

start a family

To conceive or have a first child.

American Heritage

start in on

To begin an activity regarding (something):
start in on a new book.
To begin to criticize or complain about (someone or something).

American Heritage

start something

To cause trouble.

American Heritage

to start with

At the beginning; initially.
In any case.

American Heritage

start a hare

to bring forward an issue, question, etc. for consideration

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Start

Noun

Singular:

start

Plural:

starts

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Start

start a family
start in on
start something
to start with
start a hare
start in
start out
start something
start up

Origin of Start

From Middle English sterten (“to leap up suddenly, rush out"), from Old English styrtan (“to leap up, start"), from Proto-Germanic *sturtijanÄ… (“to startle, move, set in motion"), causative of *stirtanÄ… (“to leap, tumble"), from Proto-Indo-European *stere-, *strÄ“- (“to be strong, steady, rigid, fixed"). Cognate with Old Frisian stirta (“to fall down, tumble"), Middle Dutch sterten (Dutch storten, “to rush, fall, collapse"), Old High German sturzen (German stürzen, “to hurl, plunge, turn upside down"), Old High German sterzan (“to be stiff, protrude"). More at stare.

From Wiktionary
Middle English sterten to move or leap suddenly from Old English styrtan ster-¹ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle English stert, from the verb sterten (“to start, startle"). See below.

From Wiktionary
The verb start, with initial uppercase letter.

From Wiktionary