1the point in time or space at which something has its origin; the beginning:he takes over as chief executive at the start of next yearthe event was a shambles from start to finishhis bicycle was found close to the start of a forest trail
the point or moment at which a race begins:make sure you are not over the line at the start
an act of beginning to do or deal with something:I can make a start on cleaning upan early start enabled us to avoid the traffic
used to indicate that a useful initial contribution has been made but that more remains to be done:if he would tell her who had put him up to it, it would be a start
a person’s position or circumstances at the beginning of their life:she’s anxious to give her baby the best start in life
an advantage consisting in having set out in a race or on a journey earlier than one’s rivals:he had a ninety-minute start on them
2a sudden movement of surprise or alarm:she awoke with a startthe woman gave a nervous start
dated a surprising occurrence:you hear of some rum starts there
ზმნა
Universal
1 [no object] begin or be reckoned from a particular point in time or space; come into being:the season starts in Septemberwe ate before the film startedbelow Roaring Springs the real desert starts
embark on a continuing action or a new venture:I’m starting on a new book [with infinitive or present participle]:I started to chat to himwe plan to start building in the autumn
use a particular point, action, or circumstance as an opening for a course of action:the teacher can start by capitalizing on children’s curiosityI shall start with the case you mention first
[no object, with adverbial of direction] begin to move or travel:we started out into the snowhe started for the door
[with object] begin to engage in (an occupation), live through (a period), or attend (an educational establishment):she will start school todayhe started work at a travel agentthey started their married life
begin one’s working life:he started as a mess orderlyhe started off as doctor in the house
cost at least a specified amount:fees start at £300
2 [with object] cause to happen or begin:two men started the blazethose women started all the troubleI’m starting a campaign to get the law changed
cause (a machine) to begin to work:we had trouble starting the carhe starts up his van
[no object] (of a machine) begin operating or being used:the noise of a lorry starting upthere was a moment of silence before the organ started
cause or enable to begin doing something:his father started him off in business [with object and present participle]:what he said started me thinking
give a signal to (competitors) to start in a race.
3 [no object] jerk or give a small jump from surprise or alarm:‘Oh my!’ she said, starting
[no object, with adverbial of direction] literary move or appear suddenly:she had seen Meg start suddenly from a thicket
(of eyes) bulge so as to appear to burst out of their sockets:his eyes started out of his head like a hare’s
be displaced or displace by pressure or shrinkage: [no object]:the mortar in the joints had started
[with object] rouse (game) from its lair.
don't start (or don't you start)
informal used to tell someone not to grumble or criticize:don’t start—I do my fair share
for a start
informal used to introduce the first or most important of a number of considerations:this side are at an advantage—for a start, there are more of them
get the start of
dated gain an advantage over:I laughed to think how I had got the start of them
informal cause trouble:you needn’t worry about having started something
to start with
at first:she wasn’t very keen on the idea to start with
as the first thing to be taken into account:to start with, I was feeling down
start again
chiefly British abandon what one is doing and make a new beginning:while I was writing this essay my computer froze and I had to start again
start in
informal
begin doing something, especially talking:people groan when she starts in about her acting ambitions
(start in on) North American begin to do or deal with:she started in on her face
(start in on) North American attack verbally; begin to criticize.
start off (or start someone/thing off)
begin (or cause someone or something to begin) to operate or do something:treatment should start off with attention to dietwhat started you off on this search?
start on
informal begin to criticize someone:she started on about my not having proper furniture
start over
North American way of saying start again.could you face going back to school and starting over?
start out (or up)
embark on a venture or undertaking, especially a commercial one:the company will start out with a hundred employees
