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
Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 2 July 2024
In the earlier kickoff, Schranz’s goal put Slovakia ahead midway through the first half at Gelsenkirchen’s Arena AufSchalke, and despite dominating possession from that point, England remained frustrated for much of the contest.
—George Ramsay, CNN, 30 June 2024
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 July 2024
Jelly kicks off the clip by greeting Bunnie’s followers.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for kickoff 
Noun
Following the Ceremony of the Keys kickoff on July 2, King Charles hosted an investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse while Queen Camilla held a celebration for those working across Scotland to promote literacy, one of her key causes.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 2 July 2024
In the earlier kickoff, Schranz’s goal put Slovakia ahead midway through the first half at Gelsenkirchen’s Arena AufSchalke, and despite dominating possession from that point, England remained frustrated for much of the contest.
—George Ramsay, CNN, 30 June 2024
Verb
So the idea of kicking off the second act with her finally realizing that there’s a threat out for her — and then having to sit there and be encased in that with her own thoughts — that all just seemed like a groovy idea.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 July 2024
Jelly kicks off the clip by greeting Bunnie’s followers.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 July 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.
Articles Related to kickoff
Dictionary Entries Near kickoff
Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 15 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share