/kik"awf', -of'/ , n.
1. Football. a place kick or a drop kick from the 40-yd. line of the team kicking at the beginning of the first and third periods or after the team kicking has scored a touchdown or field goal.
2. Soccer. a kick that puts a stationary ball into play from the center line of the field at the start of a quarter or after a goal has been scored.
3. the initial stage of something; start; beginning: the campaign kickoff.
Also, kick-off .
[ 1855-60; n. use of v. phrase kick off ]