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Definition start in British English

start verb

verb
/stɑː(r)t/
1

to begin to happen or take place

Example

Work has started on a new terminal at Heathrow Airport.

Example

The World Championships start in two weeks' time.

Example

The show has just started.

Example

What time does school start in the morning?

Example

The riot started as a dispute between neighbours.

Synonyms and related words
start begin arise
1.1

used about a change, movement, process etc

Example

Cellular decay starts at the moment of death.

Example

The leaves have started falling off the trees.

Example

The traffic had started to move more freely now.

Example

His confidence is starting to crumble.

Example

It's starting to rain.

Synonyms and related words
start begin arise
2

used for saying that someone begins to do something

Example

Please start when you are ready.

Example

Have you started the washing-up yet?

Example

Let's start by defining our terms.

Example

The class starts with some gentle stretching exercises.

Example

Everyone in the class started laughing.

Example

I started to unpack my suitcase.

Synonyms and related words
start on begin set about
2.1

to begin a new job, career, or period of education

Example

When do they want you to start?

Example

Things were very different when I started in politics.

Example

I started as an office boy and worked my way to the top.

Example

I start work on Monday.

Example

Children start school at age five.

Synonyms and related words
join arrive enter
2.2

to begin a period of time in a particular way

Example

I usually start the day with a cup of coffee.

Example

New York started the new century with a massive fireworks display.

Synonyms and related words
start on begin set about
2.3

to be involved in something at the beginning

Example

Of the 36 horses that started the race, only four finished.

Synonyms and related words
start on begin set about
3

to begin a journey

Example

We started early enough but got caught in the London traffic.

Example

It was time to start the long walk back home.

Synonyms and related words
depart embark on hit the road
3.1

to move in a particular direction

Example

The footsteps came again, and then started up the stairs.

Example

Guy started for the door.

Synonyms and related words
head go progress
4

used for talking about the nearest end or edge of something

Example

The new houses start immediately beyond the bridge.

Synonyms and related words
start begin arise
4.1

used for talking about the lowest price or number

Example

Prices for cushion covers start from £18.

Example

The house numbers start at 20.

Synonyms and related words
bounce come down cool off
5

to cause something, or to be the first person to do something

Example

Have you any idea who might have started the fire?

Example

The police insist that they didn't start the confrontation.

Example

Who wants to start the discussion?

Example

'Don't talk to me like that!' 'You started it!'

Synonyms and related words
catalyze bring about trigger
5.1

to cause someone to do something

Example

What she said started me thinking.

Synonyms and related words
encourage persuade convince
Example

He decided to quit his job and start his own business.

Synonyms and related words
bootstrap go into set up
Example

Scott started the engine and drove off.

Synonyms and related words
activate actuate coax
6.1

to begin to work

Example

No matter how many times he tried, the car wouldn't start.

Synonyms and related words
operate come on function
7

to begin to complain or be angry about something

Example

It only takes the slightest thing to make her start.

Example

Don't start!

Synonyms and related words
complain mutter lodge
8

to move suddenly because you are afraid or surprised by something

Example

The noise made him start.

Synonyms and related words
shout cry out tremble be taken aback marvel start
Definition start in British English

Related Words

Words related to start:

a fresh start (phrase) an early start (phrase) off to a etc start (phrase) false start (noun) flying start (noun) for a start (phrase) the ball rolling (phrase) head start (noun) jump-start (verb) kick-start (verb) make a start (phrase) push-start (verb) (right) from the start (phrase) set the wheels in motion (phrase) sleep start (noun) something will not etc (phrase) something would not etc (phrase) start (verb) start (noun) start back (phrasal verb) start in (phrasal verb) start in life (phrase) start off (phrasal verb) start on (phrasal verb) start out (phrasal verb) start over (phrasal verb) start page (noun) start up (phrasal verb) start-up (noun) stop-start (adjective) to start with (phrase)