starting pistol

Fires the beginning

A starting pistol is a blank-firing handgun used to signal the beginning of a race.

The loud report gives runners, swimmers, or other competitors a clear, simultaneous cue to start.

At the crack of the starting pistol, the sprinters exploded from their blocks.

The phrase jump the gun comes from competitors who move before the pistol fires.

signal

bang

Sudden loud noise

reportFormal written findings
shotQuick liquor serving
crackNarrow break or attempt

blast · cue · go-ahead · flag · whistle · flash · smoke · trigger · firing · discharge

race

track

Path or monitored route

sprintersBrief-race speed athletes
blocksObstructs or sections
runnersThose who race on foot

finish line · marathon · relay · athletics · stadium · heats · semifinals · finals · lane · stagger

beginning

kickoff

Opening play in football

launchSet into motion
commencementAct of starting
initiationFormal admission ceremony

onset · outset · threshold · genesis · dawn · inauguration · inception · green light · send-off · opening

Categories

track and fieldtrack and field, sprinters, sprinter, sprinting, sprint
Field Daysack race, three-legged race, relay race, tug of war, egg and spoon race
game startskickoff, tip-off, tipoff, face-off, puck drop
Sprintingsprint, dash, 100 meters, 200 meters, 100 meter dash
racetrackpit lane, finish line, grandstand, homestretch, speedway
signalssignal, signals, signaling, sign, waved

Opposites

signal function

starting pistolfinal whistle

Signal ending a match

checkered flag · closing bell

phase of competition

starting pistolfinish line

Race completion marker

medal podium · victory lap

PURPOSE (vs. weapon)

starting pistolfirearm

Projectile weapon using explosives

loaded gun · weapon · murder weapon · handgun · service pistol

Family

start, starting, started, starts, starter, starters, restart, restarting, restarted

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G