start*/*/*/

[stɑːt] verb I

1) to begin to happen

The World Championships start in two weeks.[/ex]

It's starting to rain.[/ex]

The leaves have started falling off the trees.[/ex]

2) [I/T] to begin doing something

Please start when you are ready.[/ex]

The class starts with some gentle stretching exercises.[/ex]

I started to unpack my suitcase.[/ex]

Everyone in the class started laughing.[/ex]

3) [I/T] to begin a journey

We started early enough but got caught in the London traffic.[/ex]

4) [I/T] to begin a new job, career, or period of education

I start work on Monday.[/ex]

Things were very different when I started in politics.[/ex]

5) [T] to begin a period of time in a particular way

I always start the day with a cup of coffee.[/ex]

6) [T] to bring a business or project into existence

He decided to quit his job and start his own business.[/ex]

7) [I] used for talking about the nearest end or edge of something

The new houses start immediately beyond the bridge.[/ex]

8) [I] used for talking about the lowest price or number

Prices for theatre tickets start from £10.[/ex]

9) [T] to cause something, or to be the first person to do something

Who wants to start the discussion?[/ex]

What she said started me thinking.[/ex]

10) [I/T] if you start a machine, or if it starts, it begins to work

No matter how many times he tried, the car wouldn't start.[/ex]

Scott started the engine and drove off.[/ex]

•

back where you started — in the same place or situation where you were before, so that you have not made any progress[/ex]

get started — to begin doing something[/ex]

[i]We couldn't wait to get started on the next job.[/ex]

get sb started — to help or cause someone to begin doing something new[/ex]

It was his aunt who got him started in publishing.[/ex]

to start with — 1) as a beginning, or as the first thing[/ex]

Let's have a few easy questions to start with.[/ex]

— 2) used for introducing the first or the most important point that supports an opinion

Well, to start with, you haven't got the right qualifications.[/ex]

- start (sth) off

- start sb off

- start on sth

- start out

- start (sth) up

II

noun

start */*/*/[stɑːt]

1) [C] the beginning of a period of time

I hated her right from the start.[/ex]

The operation takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.[/ex]

At the start of the final year, students do work experience.[/ex]

2) [C] the way that someone begins a period of time or activity

Hakkinen made a good start and was in second place by the first corner.[/ex]

Her election campaign got off to a slow start.[/ex]

There's no better start to the day than a healthy breakfast.[/ex]

3) [C] the beginning of a journey

After an early start, we were soon out of the city.[/ex]

4) [C] the beginning of a film, story, show etc

Let's take a look at the start of the story in more detail.[/ex]

5) [singular] the moment when a race begins, or the place where it begins

The start has been brought forward by 30 minutes.[/ex]

The runners were all gathered at the start.[/ex]

6) [C] a big change or new opportunity in your life

She travelled to Hong Kong, hoping for a fresh start.[/ex]

7) [singular] an advantage that you have, especially in a race or competition

Syn:

head start

The women runners are given a 50-metre start.[/ex]

•

for a start — used for introducing the first point in a series, especially in an argument[/ex]

They are too young for a start.[/ex]

make a start (on sth) — to begin doing something[/ex]

I'll make a start on the washing-up.[/ex]