Start meaning meaning Meaning

UK /stɑːt/
US /stɑːrt/
Word Definition
start meaning meaning meaning

Start meaning meaning Definition & Usage

verb

To begin or commence an action, process, or event.

Examples

  • "She started her career as a teacher before moving into administration."
  • "The race will start in five minutes."
  • "They started working on the project last week."
  • "We need to start planning for next year’s event."
  • "He started to speak but paused to collect his thoughts."
verb

To move suddenly, often as a reaction to surprise or fear.

Examples

  • "She started when the door slammed shut behind her."
  • "The dog started at the sound of the car engine."
  • "He started at the loud bang from the fireworks."
  • "The baby started and began crying."
  • "I started when I saw the shadow in the corner."
verb

To cause something to begin or be initiated, often in a mechanical or systemic context.

Examples

  • "He started the engine and drove off."
  • "She started the machine with a simple press of a button."
  • "Can you start the meeting at 10 a.m.?"
  • "The alarm system started automatically when the door was opened."
  • "The program will start once you enter the correct password."
noun

The initial phase or moment of an activity, event, or process.

Examples

  • "The start of the movie was delayed due to technical difficulties."
  • "The start of the year marks a fresh beginning."
  • "I missed the start of the concert but arrived just in time for the main act."
  • "He made a great start in his new job."
  • "They witnessed the start of the revolution firsthand."
noun

A point from which something begins, such as a journey or project.

Examples

  • "The start of our hike was at dawn."
  • "We need to return to the start of the instructions."
  • "She took the start as a sign that her hard work was finally paying off."
  • "The start of the business venture was difficult, but rewarding."
  • "At the start of the meeting, the CEO addressed the company’s performance."

Cultural Context

The word 'start' has roots in Old English, where it originally referred to sudden movements or actions, especially those that might be unexpected or forceful. It evolved to encompass broader meanings, from initiating activities to beginning processes or events. Today, it is used across many contexts, both literal and figurative, to describe the beginning of almost any kind of action, event, or journey.

The Start of a Journey

Story

The Start of a Journey

Samantha had always dreamed of running her own business, but for years she had been too afraid to take that first step. The idea of starting something new, something so uncertain, made her heart race. But today, something was different. As the morning sun streamed through her window, she decided it was time. She stood in front of her laptop, staring at the application form for a small business loan. 'What am I waiting for?' she thought to herself. She clicked 'Submit,' and the process had started. In the days that followed, she had moments of doubt. Sometimes, she would start a task, like drafting her business plan, only to feel overwhelmed and stop halfway. But she kept reminding herself that every journey starts with a single step. One day, as she sat in a meeting with potential investors, she realized that this was the start of something much bigger than she had imagined. Her business grew slowly at first, but as she looked back, she could see the start had been the most important moment. It had been the catalyst for everything that followed, the reason she had made it so far. Samantha smiled to herself as she packed up for the day, knowing that tomorrow would bring a new start, another opportunity to build on what she'd begun. Later, as she locked the door to her office, she started walking towards the bus stop. The sun was setting, but it felt like the start of something beautiful. Her life had truly begun.

The Start of a Journey