kick start

Meaning

Noun

1. A metal bar on a motorcycle used to start its engine.
2. An act of starting a motorcycle by quickly depressing the kick start with one's foot.
3. (figuratively) A fast or strong start; help with starting or beginning well.
4. An impetus that starts or restarts some process.

Verb

1. (transitive) To start a motorcycle.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To start or begin strongly or quickly.
3. (figuratively, transitive) To make (something) active, functional, or productive again; to reinvigorate (an activity, system, or process).

Synonyms

kick starter

jump-start

Etymology

From kick + start.