start-up

A technician performs a system start-up on the new computer.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A newly established business: "start-up" refers to a company or venture that is in its early stages of operations, often characterized by innovation and growth potential.
   • The act of beginning something: "start-up" can also mean the initial phase or process of starting an activity, system, or machine.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to a new business: "start-up" describes anything associated with the early stages of a business, such as a start-up company, start-up culture, or start-up funding.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The tech start-up secured millions in venture capital. (A newly established technology company received investment.)
  • The start-up of the engine was smooth and quiet. (The initial activation of the engine went well.)

• Adjective:

  • She works in a start-up environment where creativity is encouraged. (She works in a setting typical of a new business.)

Advanced Usage

• "start-up costs": the expenses incurred when beginning a new business or project.

  • They underestimated the start-up costs for their restaurant. (They thought the initial expenses would be lower.)

• "start-up phase": the initial period of operation for a company or system.

  • During the start-up phase, the company focused on product development. (In the beginning, they prioritized creating the product.)

Variants and Related Words

• Start-up (n): a newly formed business (same as above).
• Start-up (adj): of or relating to a new business (same as above).
• Startup (n): an alternative spelling of "start-up," equally common.
• Start-up capital (n): money used to start a new business.
  • They raised start-up capital from friends and family. (They gathered initial funds from personal connections.)

Synonyms

• New business: a recently created commercial enterprise.
• Venture: a business undertaking involving risk, especially a new one.
• Enterprise: a business or project, often new and ambitious.

Related Idioms

• "From the ground up": starting from the very beginning, often referring to a business.

  • They built the company from the ground up. (They started the business with nothing and developed it completely.)

• "Get off the ground": to start successfully, especially a project or business.

  • The start-up struggled to get off the ground. (The new company had difficulty beginning operations.)