start

noun

• The beginning of an activity.

  "The movie was entertaining from start to finish."

• A sudden involuntary movement.

  "He woke with a start."

• The beginning point of a race, a board game, etc.

  "Captured pieces are returned to the start of the board."

• An appearance in a sports game, horserace, etc., from the beginning of the event.

  "Jones has been a substitute before, but made his first start for the team last Sunday."

• A young plant germinated in a pot to be transplanted later.
• An initial advantage over somebody else; a head start.

  "to get, or have, the start"