v. 1. To begin to go somewhere. Bill started out for school on his bicycle. Art started out on a voyage around the world.
Compare: SET OUT. 2. To begin a career or life. Harry started out as an errand boy in a business office. We all start out in life as helpless infants.
Synonym: START IN. 3. informal To give one a first job. The garage man started Pete out as a grease rack man.
Synonym: START IN 3 .