<p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to begin or set out, as on a journey or activity.</li><li>to appear or come suddenly into action, life, view, etc.; rise or issue suddenly forth.</li><li>to spring, move, or dart suddenly from a position or place: The rabbit started from the bush.</li><li>to be among the entrants in a race or the initial participants in a game or contest.</li><li>to give a sudden, involuntary jerk, jump, or twitch, as from a shock of surprise, alarm, or pain: The sudden clap of thunder caused everyone to start.</li><li>to protrude: eyes seeming to start from their sockets.</li><li>to spring, slip, or work loose from place or fastenings, as timbers or other structural parts.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to set moving, going, or acting; to set in operation: to start an automobile; to start a fire.</li><li>to establish or found: to start a new business.</li><li>Synonyms: institute.</li><li>to begin work on: to start a book.</li><li>Antonyms: terminate, end.</li><li>to enable or help (someone) set out on a journey, a career, or the like: The record started the young singer on the road to stardom.</li><li>to cause or choose to be an entrant in a game or contest: He started his ace pitcher in the crucial game.</li><li>to cause (an object) to work loose from place or fastenings.</li><li>to rouse (game) from its lair or covert; flush.</li><li>to draw or discharge (liquid or other contents) from a vessel or container; empty (a container).</li><li>Archaic: to cause to twitch, jump, or flinch involuntarily; startle.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a beginning of an action, journey, etc.</li><li>Synonyms: onset, commencement.</li><li>a signal to move, proceed, or begin, as on a course or in a race.</li><li>a place or time from which something begins.</li><li>the first part or beginning segment of anything: The start of the book was good but the last half was dull.</li><li>an instance of being a participant in a race or an initial participant in a game or contest: The horse won his first two starts.</li><li>a sudden, springing movement from a position.</li><li>a sudden, involuntary jerking movement of the body: to awake with a start.</li><li>Synonyms: jump, twitch.</li><li>a lead or advance of specified amount, as over competitors or pursuers.</li><li>the position or advantage of one who starts first: The youngest child should have the start over the rest.</li><li>a chance, opportunity, aid, or encouragement given to one starting on a course or career: The bride's parents gave the couple a start by buying them a house.</li><li>a spurt of activity.</li><li>a starting of parts from their place or fastenings in a structure.</li><li>the resulting break or opening.</li><li>an outburst or sally, as of emotion, wit, or fancy.</li></ul>