■ noun
1》 a person or thing starting in a specified way: a slow ~.
↘a person who signals the start of a race.
↘a competitor taking part in a race or game at the start.
↘ Baseball the pitcher who starts the game.
2》 an automatic device for starting a machine.
↘a railway signal controlling the starting of trains.
3》 chiefly Brit. the first course of a meal.
4》 a topic or question with which to start a discussion or course of study.
5》 a preparation used to initiate souring, fermentation, etc.
Phrases
for ~s informal first of all.
under ~'s orders (of horses, runners, etc.) waiting for the signal to start a race.