1Start (an engine on a motorcycle) with a downward thrust of a pedal.

1. 1.1 Provide the initial impetus to.
   they need to kick-start the economy

   Example sentencesExamples

   • There is a major story subplot that I have not mentioned, which truly kick-starts the emotional journey for all of our characters.
   • And that breakfast (a first ever in my adult life) kick-starts my metabolism in the morning and keeps me satiated longer.
   • Since last month, BT Wholesale has announced a number of initiatives to kick-start the broadband market in the UK.
   • Do you credit Jeremy's departure with kick-starting the process?
   • Argentina's third president this year has drawn fire for his proposal for a new floating currency which he hopes will kick-start consumer spending but which some fear could quickly become worthless.
   • Last week Manchester United relaunched its official website in an attempt to kick-start its hitherto moribund internet operation.
   • More than 200 gay men from across North America arrived at a remote Arizona oasis by summer's end, kick-starting an international movement that flourishes to this day.
   • The project organisers also recommend kick-starting the venture by demise chartering six longline vessels under government's current fishing policy.
   • ‘A lot of people have very ambitious ideas, but almost nobody has the funding to kick-start a global initiative,’ Aylward said.
   • The bankers on the Mound took the applause from disgruntled shareholders for kick-starting the process that led to the underperforming English bank being taken over by more efficient Scottish operators.
   • Other dentists prefer to kick-start the treatment by using a laser to activate the gel in the surgery, with shorter at-home follow-up sessions.
   • Three Ryder Cup team-mates will contest the Madeira Island Open this week, all looking to kick-start their careers.
   • Former hospital consultants created the prints to kick-start York Health Services NHS Trust's project to vastly improve services to patients and visitors.
   • The station's redevelopment has been earmarked as a major element in kick-starting the Airedale masterplan proposals.
   • And the New Swindon Company the organisation charged with kick-starting the renaissance of Swindon town centre has said a change of culture must start now.
   • After receiving a grant from Wandsworth Council, the organisation began looking into other community needs and kick-started a number of youth projects for young people living on the estate and in the surrounding area.
   • In a further hint at recovery in the tech sector, Microsoft and Cisco have outlined plans for acquisitions which could kick-start international consolidation.
   • It has just awarded his Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives $3m to kick-start the project which, he says, will uncover the essence of life.
   • The prize was conceived to kick-start private space initiatives and space tourism in particular.
   • I could see how Andy was on a downward spiral and I think the rejection from us helped kick-start his career.

   Synonyms

   revive, revitalize, renew, regenerate, restore, breathe new life into, make someone feel young again, revivify, reanimate, resuscitate, refresh, reawaken, rekindle, put new life into, put new heart into, add some zest to, put some spark into, uplift

1A device to start an engine by the downward thrust of a pedal, as in older motorcycles.

1. 1.1 An act of starting an engine by the downward thrust of a pedal.
2. 1.2 An impetus given to get a process or thing started or restarted.
   new investment will provide the kick-start needed to escape from recession

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Locally made and produced goods will also appear more attractive to foreign buyers and this could give a kick-start to some ailing British industries, like the motor manufacturers.
   • We need a win and knocking off the Hawks could be a real kick-start to our season!
   • The party needs a kick-start of some description.
   • The Irish film industry is not doing good at the moment and it does need a kick-start.
   • All that is needed now is for the action on the field to begin, and this evening it was given a kick-start.
   • A kick-start for a programme like this, which is enormous in size, was the only way to get it off the ground.
   • Furthermore, this will meet expressed criteria for good public accessibility as well as giving a much-needed kick-start to the apparently stalled Vision for Trowbridge.
   • I did have one solitary experience with Ms. Reynolds before our relationship started to grow and my life got a huge kick-start in its already progressing downward spiral.
   • What is it that gets Auckland out of its summer stupor and provides a kick-start for the new year?
   • It was the police overreaction that gave the student struggle its kick-start and helped launch over a year of action.
   • It was a good tournament, a kick-start for the national team doing well in 1994.
   • They needed a sharp kick-start to help recruiting.
   • Children in Need has become a supporter and is giving them a kick-start in replacing worn out equipment with a grant of £2,661.
   • This handy volume gets a kick-start with the lecture ‘What is a Classic?’
   • He didn't have all that much to do but I was pleased at the way he was coming off his line and hopefully that will provide a big kick-start for his confidence.
   • Several others found his or her way into the busy shop in order to purchase their Frappacino manacles in order to give them a daily kick-start.
   • Upgrading of PCs should theoretically provide a kick-start for the PC producers, good solid but low margin business.
   • As a kick-start to a Battle of the Bands competition, it is at least a curiosity.
   • It can be a great kick-start into a transformation that will motivate her to adopt an active, healthy lifestyle.
   • The buddy picture genre gets a kick-start by pairing up a homicide cop and a fire marshal to solve the case.