kickoff in WordNet English dictionary

1. 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"
   beginning  commencement  first  outset  get-go  start  kickoff  starting time  showtime  offset 
   
2. (football) a kick from the center of the field to start a football game or to resume it after a score
   kickoff 
   
3. a start given to contestants
   "I was there with my parents at the kickoff"
   kickoff  send-off  start-off 
   

kickoff in English Wiktionary