starter

start|er [ `startər ] noun count *

▸ 1 someone to start race

▸ 2 someone/something that races

▸ 3 food to start meal

▸ 4 for starting activity

▸ 5 machine/engine part

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) an official who signals the start of a race, especially by firing a gun

a ) under starter's orders when the runners or horses are under starter's orders, the race is ready to start

2. ) a person or horse that takes part in a race when it starts:

Fewer than half the starters will finish.

a ) used for talking about the time or manner in which someone starts something:

Tiger Woods was among the early starters.

I've always been a slow starter in the mornings.

3. ) MAINLY BRITISH a small amount of food eaten at the start of a meal:

Stuffed peppers make a good starter for a dinner party.

4. ) something you say or do to start a particular activity, for example a conversation or a game:

The students' own experiences can be a useful starter for discussion.

I'll give you the first three letters as a starter (=for you to guess the rest of the word).

5. ) the part of a machine or engine that makes it start

for starters MAINLY SPOKEN

1. ) as the beginning or first stage of something:

For starters, we ought to explain why we're here.

$40? That'll do for starters.

2. ) used for introducing the first point in a series, especially in an argument:

For starters, it's too expensive.