Kick-off

Alternative forms

• kickoff

Origin

kick + off

Noun

1. (football) the opening kick of each half of a game of football.
• 2011, January 11, Jonathan Stevenson , West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham, The atmosphere at Upton Park before kick-off reflected the palpable tension surrounding the club right now
2. (by extension) the opening sequence of any event