1
: a person who initiates or sets going: such as
a
: an official who gives the signal to begin a race
b
: one who dispatches vehicles
2
a
: one that engages in a competition
especially
: a member of a starting lineup
b
: one that begins to engage in an activity or process
3
: one that causes something to begin operating: such as
a
: a device for starting an engine
especially
: an electric motor used to start an internal combustion engine
b
: material containing microorganisms (such as yeast) used to induce a desired fermentation
4
: something that is the beginning of a process, activity, or series
especially
: appetizer
: of, relating to, or being an item acquired with the expectation that a more elaborate or sophisticated model will be acquired in the future
a starter home
Examples of starter in a Sentence
Noun
The team is playing only five regular starters.
The car's starter needs to be replaced.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
For instance, while Garcia stayed at Minnesota, two of his fellow U starters left after last season.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2024
Aly Walansky, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
The starter home sinks in its teeth for Young Americans
Part of the issue is that because the market is so thorny, many young Americans are forced to pour all their money into their first home.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for starter 
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Noun
Watson continued to thrive in Aaron Gordon’s place among the starters, making all four 3-point attempts en route to 16 points.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
For instance, while Garcia stayed at Minnesota, two of his fellow U starters left after last season.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
This is so cute for the starter cook trying to make a tiny kitchen work.
—Aly Walansky, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
The starter home sinks in its teeth for Young Americans
Part of the issue is that because the market is so thorny, many young Americans are forced to pour all their money into their first home.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for starter
Dictionary Entries Near starter
Cite this Entry
“Starter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starter. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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