head start

noun

Synonyms of head startnext
1
: an advantage granted or achieved at the beginning of a race, a chase, or a competition
a 10-minute head start
2
: a favorable or promising beginning
took some extra classes to get a head start in college

Examples of head start in a Sentence

They gave me a five-minute head start. She took some extra classes to get a head start in her career. His natural athletic talent gave him a head start on his peers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But a head start is not leadership. Chris Brandt, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026 Their head start on joining the Mile High Club was reported to flight attendants by Darren Street, 51, and his wife Lisa, 47. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026 But her host soon reveals other plans, giving her a short head start before hunting her down with a crossbow. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 Punk rock would have come to Boston soon enough anyway, but maybe Peter Dayton gave it a head start. Eric R. Danton, Pitchfork, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for head start

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of head start was in 1859

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Head start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head%20start. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

head start

noun
1
: an advantage given to a contestant at the beginning of a race
a five-minute head start
2
: a favorable or promising beginning

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