Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: SPORT

start

2 noun
     
start2 S2 W3
1

of an activity/event

[countable usually singular] the first part of an activity or event, or the point at which it begins to develop
start of
We arrived late and missed the start of the film.
(right) from the start
We've had problems with this project right from the start.
She read the letter from start to finish without looking up.
get off to a good/bad etc start
a free bottle of wine to get your holiday off to a great start
 (=begin well or badly)
a rocky/shaky/slow etc start (=a bad beginning)
After a rocky start, the show is now very popular.
He wanted an early start on his election campaign.
2

of a period of time

[countable usually singular] the first part of a particular period of time [= beginning]
start of
Since the start of 1992, the company has doubled in size.
the start of the year/day/season
the start of an election year
get off to a good/bad etc start (=begin well or badly)
The day got off to a bad start when I missed the train.
3

make a start (on something)

to begin doing something:
I'll make a start on the washing-up.
4

sudden movement

[singular] a sudden movement of your body, usually caused by fear or surprise
with a start
Ted woke up with a start and felt for the light switch.
She said his name and Tom gave a start (=made a sudden movement).
5

good/better/healthy etc start (in life)

if you have a good etc start, you have all the advantages or opportunities that your situation, your parents etc could provide to help you succeed:
Good health care for the mother before birth gives babies a healthy start.
Naturally we want to give our kids the best possible start in life.
6

where race begins

the start

DS the place where a race begins:
The horses were all lined up at the start.
7

being ahead

[countable usually singular]DS the amount of time or distance by which one person is ahead of another, especially in a race or competition
start on
The prisoners had a three-hour start on their pursuers.
➔ head start (2)
8

for a start

British English informal used to emphasize the first of a list of facts or opinions you are stating:
Well, for a start, the weather was horrible.
9

be a start

spoken used to say that something you have achieved may not be impressive, but it will help with a bigger achievement:
One exercise class a week isn't enough, but it's a start.
10

job

a) [countable usually singular] the beginning of someone's job, which they will develop in the future, especially a job that involves acting, writing, painting etc:
Pacino got his start on the stage, before his success in films.
I gave you your start, so remember me when you win the Pulitzer Prize.
b) [countable usually plural] a job that has just started, a business that has just been started, or someone who has just started a new job:
The number of business starts plummeted 10.5% during the second half of the year.
a training course for new starts
11

starts

also housing starts [plural] technical when people begin to build a number of new houses
12

sport

[countable usually plural]
a) a race or competition that someone has taken part in:
The horse Exotic Wood was unbeaten in five starts.
b) an occasion when a player plays when a sports match begins:
Jackson played in 353 games, with 314 starts.
➔ false start

➔ fresh start

at fresh (4)

➔ in/by fits and starts

at fit3 (7)
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