starting

Starting refers to the act of beginning something and the moment at which a process, activity, or event begins. It encompasses both the initiation of a task and the initial conditions that influence how it unfolds. The concept is used across many domains to distinguish the initial phase from ongoing work or the eventual end.

Etymology: The form is derived from the verb start, with "starting" functioning as the present participle and gerund. As a general concept, starting involves a trigger or decision to move from inactivity to action and often implies readiness, planning, and risk assessment.

In sports and games, starting lines, blocks, or pistols inaugurate competition. In transportation and machinery, starting a vehicle or engine opens a system for operation. In computing, starting a program or service launches a sequence of processes. In research, starting values or initial conditions determine how a model responds to later inputs.

Practically, starting anything often requires defining goals, identifying prerequisites, and taking a first concrete step. A starting point serves as a reference for measuring progress. Challenges such as procrastination, uncertainty, or insufficient resources can impede starting, while strategies include breaking tasks into small steps, setting deadlines, and establishing accountability.

See also: beginning, initiation, kickoff, startup, outset, onset, starting point.