To Start

1. (transitive) To begin, commence, initiate.
   1. To set in motion.
   2. To begin.
   3. To ready the operation of a vehicle or machine.
   4. To put or raise (a question, an objection); to put forward (a subject for discussion).
   5. To bring onto being or into view; to originate; to invent.
2. (intransitive) To begin an activity.
3. (intransitive) To have its origin (at), begin.
4. To startle or be startled; to move or be moved suddenly.
   1. (intransitive) To jerk suddenly in surprise.
   2. (intransitive) To awaken suddenly.
   3. (transitive) To disturb and cause to move suddenly; to startle; to alarm; to rouse; to cause to flee or fly.
   4. (intransitive) To Flinch or draw back.
   5. (transitive) To move suddenly from its place or position; to displace or loosen; to dislocate.
5. (intransitive) To break away, to come loose.
6. (transitive, sports) To put into play.
7. (transitive, nautical) To pour out; to empty; to tap and begin drawing from.
8. (intransitive, euphemistic) To start one's periods (menstruation).

Usage notes

• In uses 1.1 and 1.2 this is a catenative verb that takes the infinitive (to) or the gerund (-ing) form. There is no change in meaning.
• For more information, see Appendix:English catenative verbs

Antonyms

• (to begin):
  • (to stop) stop, end, cease
  • (to finish) finish, conclude, complete