kick-off

plural kick-offs · alternative kickoff

1. American footballThe opening kick of each half of a game of football.

   The atmosphere at Upton Park before kick-off reflected the palpable tension surrounding the club right now

   2011 January 11, Jonathan Stevenson, “West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 22 Nov 2020

   1 more example

   Alcohol consumption following football matches is fuelling domestic abuse in the hours after a game, according to new evidence suggesting that changing kick-off times could help reduce violence.

   2021 July 4, Michael Savage, “Early kick-offs linked to more alcohol abuse and violence in the home”, in The Observer, archived from the original on 25 Jan 2022

2. broadlyThe opening sequence of any event.

   Darbishire glanced at the first manuscript. "This one’s pretty ribby for a kick-off. It’s Binns’ famous effort.”

   1952, Anthony Buckeridge, Jennings and Darbishire

   1 more example

   Duffy, 26, began a campaign for the 9th Suffolk district […] The crowd of approximately 50 people at his kickoff party was overwhelming composed of other young, white gay men.

   1990 February 4, Laura Briggs, “Gay Republican To Oppose Black Rep”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 29, page 3

3. entertainmentThe opening sequence of notes in a song, usually played by the song's main instrument, to indicate the beginning of the song.