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
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
Miami’s other starter, Jordyn Brooks, had a very good season overall, but his passer rating against wasn’t good (115.9, with five touchdowns allowed).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
When athletes line up at the start of a race, the crowd often hushes in anticipation until the quiet is broken by the crack of a starter pistol.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starter
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Now, with an offense that could feature up to 10 new starters, Albin is faced with an inexperienced group.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
Miami’s other starter, Jordyn Brooks, had a very good season overall, but his passer rating against wasn’t good (115.9, with five touchdowns allowed).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
With both Brunson and McBride out due to injury, veteran guard Cameron Payne has elevated to starter status with rookie Tyler Kolek playing the sixth man role as the first guard off the bench.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
When athletes line up at the start of a race, the crowd often hushes in anticipation until the quiet is broken by the crack of a starter pistol.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starter
Cite this Entry
“Starter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starter. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share