false start
noun
1
: a premature start (as of a race or football play)
2
: an unsuccessful attempt to begin something (such as a career)
Examples of false start in a Sentence
If someone makes a false start, the race is immediately stopped and the runners have to start again.
After several false starts, the researchers were finally able to identify the virus causing the epidemic.
Recent Examples on the Web
An Indiana false start to turn a third-and-1 into a third-and-6 is the critical gaffe that paves the way.
—
Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
The subscriber plan comes more than a year after CNN’s false start into the streaming marketplace.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 2 Oct. 2024
The subscriber plan comes more than a year after CNN’s false start in the streaming marketplace.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
Johns Hopkins stopped DePauw on three snaps in goal-to-go situations in the waning seconds, including inducing a false start that forced a 10-second runoff and cemented a 14-9 outcome.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for false start 
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Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
The subscriber plan comes more than a year after CNN’s false start into the streaming marketplace.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 2 Oct. 2024
The subscriber plan comes more than a year after CNN’s false start in the streaming marketplace.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
Johns Hopkins stopped DePauw on three snaps in goal-to-go situations in the waning seconds, including inducing a false start that forced a 10-second runoff and cemented a 14-9 outcome.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for false start
Dictionary Entries Near false start
Cite this Entry
“False start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20start. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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