# starting

/ˈstɑɹtɪŋ/ (US) · /stˈɑːtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/starting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. beginning an action

verb · CEFR A1

the form of 'start' used for actions happening now or planned for the future.

For teachers: the present participle of 'start', used in progressive tenses or as an adjective to describe something in its initial stage.

- We are starting our holiday tomorrow morning at six o'clock.
- The team is starting the final phase of the project today, aiming for a full release by the end of the quarter.

Usage: Often followed by an infinitive or a gerund, as in 'starting to rain' or 'starting raining'.

### 2. the act of beginning

noun · CEFR B1

the act of beginning a process or an event.

For teachers: a verbal noun denoting the commencement or initiation of an activity or state.

- The starting of the engine made a very loud noise in the quiet garage.
- The sudden starting of the race caught several spectators off guard, as the official signal was given earlier than scheduled.

## Examples

- The starting of the race is at ten o'clock.
- The starting of the project was delayed by several weeks due to a lack of funding and staff.
- The sudden starting of the engine broke the silence of the valley, echoing off the surrounding cliffs and alerting the nearby wildlife to our presence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.