Start

Start is a word with several related meanings in English. As a verb, it means to begin an action or process, to cause something to begin, or to move suddenly, as in starting a car or starting a sprint. As a noun, start can refer to the moment at which something begins (“the start of the race”), the initial phase of an activity, or a sudden fright (“a start” or “to give someone a start”). The present participle form is starting, and the term appears in compounds such as start-up or starter.

Origin and usage: The word start is of Germanic origin and has cognates in related languages, with core senses centered on initiation, movement, or onset. It is common across English dialects and often preferred for informal or direct expression. It contrasts with more formal synonyms such as commence or inaugurate.

In everyday language, start appears in numerous contexts: to start a car, to start a project, to start a business (often written as startup when used as a noun for a new company), and to start from scratch or start over. Phrases include starting line (in a race) and start-up as a noun describing a newly established company or the act of initiating a service or product. In computing, start is used in interface elements and commands, such as the Start menu in Windows or the start command in various operating environments.

START is also used as an acronym in international affairs, notably for the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, referring to arms-control negotiations and related frameworks.