start

get off the ground

“Who started this company?”

a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)

“he got his start because one of the regular pitchers was in the hospital”

set in motion, cause to start

“The U.S. started a war in the Middle East”

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

“Who will start?”

begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object

“She started the soup while it was still hot”

a sudden involuntary movement

“he awoke with a start”

begin or set in motion

“I start at eight in the morning”

have a beginning characterized in some specified way

leave

move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm

“She startled when I walked into the room”

the advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)

“with an hour's start he will be hard to catch”