1. (

• starter ,
• starter_motor ,
• starting_motor

) an electric motor for starting an engine ;

2. (

• starter ,

) a contestant in a team sport who is in the game at the beginning ;

3. (

• starter ,
• dispatcher

) the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition ;

4. (

• newcomer ,
• fledgling ,
• fledgeling ,
• starter ,
• neophyte ,
• freshman ,
• newbie ,
• entrant ,

) any new participant in some activity ;

5. (

• appetizer ,
• appetiser ,
• starter

) food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served before a meal or as the first course) ;

6. (

• crank ,
• starter ,

) a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle ;

7. (

• starter

) 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" ;