starting gate
noun
1
: a mechanically operated barrier used as a starting device for a race
2
: a barrier that when knocked aside by a competitor (such as a skier) starts an electronic timing device
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web McIngvale appeared alongside Steve Kornacki on NBC's Kentucky Derby broadcast after placing his bet on Epicenter, whose odds jumped to 4-1 heading into the starting gate. 
Brooks Holton, The Courier-Journal, 7 May 2022 By qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in slopestyle, Stevenson and fellow Parkites Alex Hall, Nick Goepper, Marin Hamill and Maggie Voisin also earned the right to slide into the starting gate for freeski big air. The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Jan. 2022 Hundreds of runners warmed up before lining up at the inflatable starting gate at Belle and Detroit. Carol Kovach, cleveland, 18 July 2022 His replacement, an alternate, Rich Strike, entered the starting gate here as an 80-1 long shot on Saturday—and then stormed up the rail from far back in a crowded field to win the 148th running of the Derby. Jim Chairusmi, WSJ, 8 May 2022 The horses are nearing the starting gate for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby. Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 5 May 2022 By nearly every measure, Picasso’s huge, dark painting stalled at the starting gate. Hugh Eakin, The Atlantic, 12 July 2022 And then the movies, late to the starting gate, in time overtook the others in renown. Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2022 Leonard, breathing the rare air of his only Breeders’ Cup, has pocketed $1,683 each trip to the starting gate since winning a 6½-furlong race in a bull ring at Louisiana’s Jefferson Downs in 1991. San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2021 See More
Brooks Holton, The Courier-Journal, 7 May 2022 By qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in slopestyle, Stevenson and fellow Parkites Alex Hall, Nick Goepper, Marin Hamill and Maggie Voisin also earned the right to slide into the starting gate for freeski big air. The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Jan. 2022 Hundreds of runners warmed up before lining up at the inflatable starting gate at Belle and Detroit. Carol Kovach, cleveland, 18 July 2022 His replacement, an alternate, Rich Strike, entered the starting gate here as an 80-1 long shot on Saturday—and then stormed up the rail from far back in a crowded field to win the 148th running of the Derby. Jim Chairusmi, WSJ, 8 May 2022 The horses are nearing the starting gate for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby. Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 5 May 2022 By nearly every measure, Picasso’s huge, dark painting stalled at the starting gate. Hugh Eakin, The Atlantic, 12 July 2022 And then the movies, late to the starting gate, in time overtook the others in renown. Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2022 Leonard, breathing the rare air of his only Breeders’ Cup, has pocketed $1,683 each trip to the starting gate since winning a 6½-furlong race in a bull ring at Louisiana’s Jefferson Downs in 1991. San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1