kick in

verb

kicked in; kicking in; kicks in

intransitive verb

1
: to begin operating or having an effect : get started
waiting for the heater to kick in
2
: to make a contribution
3
slang : die

Examples of kick in in a Sentence

if everyone in the department kicks in, we can give him an especially nice present for his retirement the ornery cuss finally kicked in at the ripe old age of 90
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Accelerators: Like a shot of espresso for your sales team, accelerators kick in when reps hit specific targets, giving them that extra boost to close deals faster. Anjai Lal, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 In late 2023, the two ports kicked in $30 million apiece to assist in the conversion to zero-emissions drayage in the ports. Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024 Fortress Investment Group is kicking in $60 million toward reshaping the brand’s value offerings, service and atmosphere. Maya Huter, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024 Other unions, the Democratic Party and charter school backers kicked in comparatively small contributions. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kick in 

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of kick in was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near kick in

Cite this Entry

“Kick in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick%20in. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

kick in

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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