A person who begins or initiates something, such as starting a race, being a starting pitcher in baseball, or assisting new players in golf.

Something that initiates or begins a process, such as an electric motor for starting an engine, a device for initiating electricity flow in a fluorescent lamp, or a yeast culture for starting fermentation.

Something with which to begin; a first property, etc.

The first course of a meal, consisting of a small, usually savoury, dish.

(team sports) A player in the lineup of players that a team fields at the beginning of a game.

A dog that rouses game.

(historical, Britain) A short length of rope formerly used for casual chastisement in the Navy.

(rail transport) A railway signal controlling the starting of trains from a station or some other location, more fully called a starter signal or starting signal.