begin or be reckoned from a particular point in time or space

the season starts in September

we ate before the film started

below Roaring Springs the real desert starts

(of event or process) happen or come into being

the fire started in the building's upper floor

Townsend's troubles started before the incident

jerk or give a small jump from surprise or alarm

‘Oh my!’ she said, starting

the point in time or space at which something has its origin; the beginning

he takes over as chief executive at the start of next year

the event was a shambles from start to finish

his bicycle was found close to the start of a forest trail

a sudden movement of surprise or alarm

she awoke with a start

the woman gave a nervous start

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, an agreement between the US and the Soviet Union to limit and reduce strategic nuclear weapons, first signed in 1991