kickoff

Plural: kickoffs

Noun

• The start of a football game or an event.
• (football) a kick from the center of the field to start a football game or to resume it after a score
• the time at which something is supposed to begin
• a start given to contestants
  • "I was there with my parents at the kickoff"
• Alternative spelling of kick-off.

Examples

• The KICKOFF of their Scrabble tournament began with an impressive seven-letter word.

Synonyms

beginning, commencement, first, get-go, offset, outset, send-off, showtime, start, start-off, starting time

Antonyms

end, middle