kickoff
     n 1: (football) a kick from the center of the field to start a
          football game or to resume it after a score
     2: the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got
        an early start"; "she knew from the get-go that he was the
        man for her" [syn: {beginning}, {commencement}, {first}, {outset},
         {get-go}, {start}, {starting time}, {showtime}, {offset}]
        [ant: {middle}, {end}]
     3: a start given to contestants; "I was there with my parents
        at the kickoff" [syn: {send-off}, {start-off}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0