1. (football) a kick from the centre of the field to start a football game or to resume it after a score
   "The kickoff sailed deep into the end zone for a touchback"
    
2. The time when something begins
   "she knew from the kickoff that he was the man for her";
   - beginning, commencement, outset, get-go [N. Amer], start, starting time, showtime
    
3. A start given to contestants
   "I was there with my parents at the kickoff";
   - send-off, start-off

1. Commence officially
   "The festival kicked off with a parade through the city centre";
   - inaugurate
    
2. Start a process or activity
   - get the ball rolling, start the ball rolling
    
3. Cause to start, provoke or initiate (usually something negative or violent)
   "kick off a huge argument";
   - touch off, spark off, spark, set off, trigger

Derived forms: kicking off, kicked off, kicks off, kickoffs

Type of: beginning, commence, commencement, embark on, place kick, place-kicking, point, point in time, start, start up

Encyclopedia: Kickoff