1
: a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
the opening kickoff
2
: the start of something : commencement
the campaign kickoff
kicked off; kicking off; kicks off
1
: to start or resume play in football by a placekick
2
a
: to initiate proceedings
b
: to start out : begin
the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
3
slang
: die
: to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign
Synonyms
Examples of kickoff in a Sentence
Noun
At his campaign kickoff, the senator gave a passionate speech about combating poverty.
His speech marked the kickoff of his campaign.
Verb
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question.
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 7 Aug. 2024
The Dolphins have tried many different personnel groupings on kickoff return, including using offensive lineman, and kickoff coverage.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2024
Vic Verbalaitis, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2024
The three-day D23 event kicked off Friday with a slew of news about movies, TV shows and live events coming from the Mouse House.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 11 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickoff 
Noun
Jones holds the Ravens’ record for most career kickoff return touchdowns (four), most kickoff return touchdowns in a single season (two) and the longest kickoff return in team history.
—Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 7 Aug. 2024
The Dolphins have tried many different personnel groupings on kickoff return, including using offensive lineman, and kickoff coverage.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2024
Verb
Following two more preseason games — against the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 17 and the Chicago Bears (also at home) on Aug. 22 — Kelce and the Chiefs will officially kick off the new NFL season on Sept. 5.
—Vic Verbalaitis, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2024
The three-day D23 event kicked off Friday with a slew of news about movies, TV shows and live events coming from the Mouse House.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 11 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickoff
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kickoff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kickoff
1 of 2 noun
kick·off
ˈkik-ˌȯf 
: a kick that puts the ball into play (as in soccer or football)
kick off
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)kik-ˈȯf
1
: to make a kickoff
2
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