starting
/ˈstɑː.tɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [stˈɑrtɪŋ] /ˈstɑːr.t̬ɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [stˈɑrtɪŋ] /ˈstärt How to pronounce start (audio)/ (ame, mw)
starting — adjective
- startingpositive
- more startingcomparative
- most startingsuperlative
1. used for the first stage of a process, or for the amount, level, or conditions t
used for the first stage of a process, or for the amount, level, or conditions that exist when something begins
The starting price for the painting was lower than buyers expected.
starting + price at first stage
Teachers use a short quiz to measure each student's starting level.
Our starting plan was simple, but the project soon became more complex.
The nurse wrote down the baby's starting weight before treatment began.
文法句型
starting + noun
用法筆記
This sense usually comes before nouns such as price, level, point, date, or weight. It focuses on the conditions at the beginning of something, not on sports selection in sense 2.
2. in sports, used for players who are chosen to be on the field or court when the
in sports, used for players who are chosen to be on the field or court when the game begins, rather than coming on later as substitutes
Mei was excited to return to the starting five after months of rehab.
basketball: starting five
The coach rested two starting defenders before next week's cup final.
Only the starting goalkeeper stayed on the field for all ninety minutes.
Fans cheered when the starting lineup appeared on the stadium screen.
- first-team
used mainly for the main group of players, especially in club structures
- first-string
North American term for the best group chosen to begin
- selected
broader and does not specifically mean chosen to begin the game
- substitute
player who comes on after the game has begun
- reserve
player kept off the field at the start
文法句型
starting + player/group noun
用法筆記
This sense is tied to sport. It is most common with nouns such as lineup, five, eleven, goalkeeper, and defender, and it contrasts with substitutes who come on later.
starting — noun
1. the act of bringing something into its first stage, or the point when a new proc
the act of bringing something into its first stage, or the point when a new process, season, or activity gets under way
The starting of the school year always fills the station with students.
the starting of + school year
Heavy rain delayed the starting of the bridge repairs by two weeks.
Everyone gathered in the square for the starting of the town festival.
The starting of spring work keeps the farmers busy before sunrise.
文法句型
the starting of + event/process
用法筆記
This noun is more formal and less common than start or beginning in everyday conversation. It often appears in institutional or descriptive writing with the pattern 'the starting of ...'.
2. the act of making a machine, engine, system, or similar thing begin to run
the act of making a machine, engine, system, or similar thing begin to run
The starting of the old truck took several tries on freezing mornings.
the starting of + vehicle
A warning light flashes during the starting of the washing machine.
Technicians tested the starting of the backup generator before the storm.
The starting of the furnace filled the basement with a low hum.
- start-up
common noun for the process of a machine beginning to run
- activation
more technical and often used for systems or devices
- ignition
specific to engines or heating systems
文法句型
the starting of + engine/system
用法筆記
This sense is used for equipment and systems rather than people or general events. In everyday speech, many speakers prefer start-up or simply start, but starting still appears in technical or descriptive contexts.
starting — verb
- startingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- startings3rd person singular
- startinging-ing form
- startingedpast simple
1. to move into the first part of an activity, piece of work, complaint, argument,
to move into the first part of an activity, piece of work, complaint, argument, or new stage of life
Ayesha is starting piano lessons after school this autumn.
start + noun phrase for new activity
Wren is starting to complain again about the long bus ride.
Piotr was starting work at the bakery when the fire alarm rang.
The neighbors kept starting arguments about parking in the narrow lane.
文法句型
start + noun phrase
start + to-infinitive
start + work/job
用法筆記
This sense usually has a human subject and focuses on entering a new action or stage. It can take a noun phrase or a to-infinitive and covers broad everyday uses such as starting work, starting to complain, or starting an argument.
2. to mark the point when an event, process, or change begins, or to make that even
to mark the point when an event, process, or change begins, or to make that event or change happen
The leaves are starting to turn yellow after the cold nights.
intransitive for beginning change
At noon, drums were starting the street parade outside city hall.
The medicine is starting to reduce the swelling in Mira's ankle.
Dry wind from the hills was starting small fires near the fence.
文法句型
start + to-infinitive
start + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is used for events, physical changes, and processes rather than businesses or machines. It often appears with weather, medicine, music, or another force that sets something in motion.
3. to begin working, running, or serving people, or to make a machine, vehicle, sys
to begin working, running, or serving people, or to make a machine, vehicle, system, or business do that
The family is starting a noodle shop near the night market.
start + business
Cyrus is starting the backup generator before the power test begins.
start + machine/system
After the storm, crews were starting train service one line at a time.
The old laptop is not starting, even with a new battery.
文法句型
start + business
start + machine/system
start (no object)
用法筆記
The subject or object here is usually a machine, service, vehicle, business, or organization. Unlike sense 2, the focus is on something operating or opening for use, not simply on an event beginning.
4. to begin with a particular person, thing, number, place, or range as the first s
to begin with a particular person, thing, number, place, or range as the first step
The tour is starting with the old temple before the river market.
start with + first item
Prices are starting at fifty dollars for seats near the stage.
start at + number
The discussion is starting from the safety report, not the budget.
Our walk is starting at the north gate and ending by the lake.
- begin with
neutral alternative with the same structure
- open with
common for speeches, shows, or planned sequences
- range from
used specifically for numbers or values
文法句型
start with + noun phrase
start at + number/place
start from + source point
用法筆記
This sense highlights the first item or point in a sequence. It is most common with with, at, and from, and it differs from sense 1 by focusing on the starting point rather than on the whole activity.
5. to move suddenly because something shocks or frightens you, or to make someone r
to move suddenly because something shocks or frightens you, or to make someone react with such a sudden movement
The horses were starting at every flash of lightning near the track.
start at + frightening stimulus
Even small sounds had the rescued dog starting in its sleep.
A bang from the kitchen sent Anna starting up from the sofa.
A shout from behind had Piotr starting halfway across the bridge.
文法句型
start at + stimulus
start + person/object
start up
用法筆記
This sense is less common in everyday speech and often appears in literary or descriptive writing. Modern spoken English frequently uses jump or startle instead, but starting can still describe the sudden physical reaction itself.