1. (

• get_down ,
• begin ,
• get ,
• start_out ,
• start ,
• set_about ,
• set_out ,
• commence

) take the first step or steps in carrying out an action; "We began working at dawn"; "Who will start?"; "Get working as soon as the sun rises!"; "The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia"; "He began early in the day"; "Let's get down to work now" ;

2. (

• begin ,
• lead_off ,
• start ,
• commence ,

) set in motion, cause to start; "The U.S. started a war in the Middle East"; "The Iraqis began hostilities"; "begin a new chapter in your life" ;

3. (

• start ,
• start_up ,
• embark_on ,
• commence

) get off the ground; "Who started this company?"; "We embarked on an exciting enterprise"; "I start my day with a good breakfast"; "We began the new semester"; "The afternoon session begins at 4 PM"; "The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack" ;