starter meaning and definition

STARTER noun

Definition of starter (noun)

1. an electric motor for starting an engine
   • synonyms: starter motor, starting motor
2. a contestant in a team sport who is in the game at the beginning
3. the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition
   • synonyms: dispatcher
4. any new participant in some activity
   • synonyms: entrant, fledgeling, fledgling, freshman, neophyte, newbie, newcomer
5. food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served before a meal or as the first course)
   • synonyms: appetiser, appetizer
6. a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle
   • synonyms: crank
7. a culture containing yeast or bacteria that is used to start the process of fermentation or souring in making butter or cheese or dough
   • "to make sourdough you need a starter"