1
: a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
the opening kickoff
2
: the start of something : commencement
the campaign kickoff
kicked off; kicking off; kicks off
1
: to start or resume play in football by a placekick
2
a
: to initiate proceedings
b
: to start out : begin
the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
3
slang
: die
: to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign
Examples of kickoff in a Sentence
Noun
At his campaign kickoff, the senator gave a passionate speech about combating poverty.
His speech marked the kickoff of his campaign.
Verb
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question.
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Recent Examples on the Web
Pete Sampson, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
Nate Hicks ran for two touchdowns, and Thaniel LaBrie caught a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for a score as Bristol-Plymouth (1-1) knocked off South Shore Voke 24-20 in the Mayflower Athletic Conference.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
After a quiet opening few minutes (as in the action on the pitch, not the ear-bleeding noise in the stands), Onana kicks off with a nice, easy low save from Talisca’s mazy run and shot.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
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Noun
Jadarian Price added nine carries for 74 yards and three touchdowns, plus a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
Nate Hicks ran for two touchdowns, and Thaniel LaBrie caught a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for a score as Bristol-Plymouth (1-1) knocked off South Shore Voke 24-20 in the Mayflower Athletic Conference.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
Guests can stroll to the winery patio to enjoy by-the-glass specials, vineyard views, lawn games, and fried chicken sandwiches from local favorite MJ Heritage Farms to kick off a Calistoga weekend.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
After a quiet opening few minutes (as in the action on the pitch, not the ear-bleeding noise in the stands), Onana kicks off with a nice, easy low save from Talisca’s mazy run and shot.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kickoff
1 of 2 noun
kick·off
ˈkik-ˌȯf 
: a kick that puts the ball into play (as in soccer or football)
kick off
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)kik-ˈȯf
1
: to make a kickoff
2
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