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starting point

starting point

69 3.0
A place, time, or situation that people use as a basis for later action
  • noun
  • /ˈstɑrtɪŋ pɔɪnt/
translation icon : punto de partida
  • Enjoyment of historical fiction is often a starting point in developing a love of history.
  • a good starting point
  • provide a starting point
  • a useful starting point

Consumer insights are the starting point to do great work, right?

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Examples

  • I brought in some song lyrics as a starting point for your writing.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • OK, we have starting point A, goal point B.

  • So that is my starting point for this room.

  • Zero is the starting point for cost.

  • This is our starting point, correct?

  • But our starting point is top down.

  • This is a good starting point if we needed to stop here.

  • This is our starting point.

  • All you need is a starting point.

  • Consider that selection a starting point for further exploration.

Synonyms

start
vsstarting point
1.0

The time or place when something begins

is the broader concept covering place, time, or situational basis
opening
vsstarting point
350 1.0

The first part that marks the start of something, for example a ceremony

is the general term for a basis rather than an initial section or event
first step
vsstarting point
281 1.4

The first action you take to begin something

is broader, applying to place, time, or situation not just action
origin
vsstarting point
228 2.7

The place where something begins, for example a country

is a broader term highlighting use as a basis for later development
outset
vsstarting point
64 3.9

The beginning of something, especially the first part

is the general label used when denoting a base for development
get-go
vsstarting point
  • Informal
61 6.9

The very start of an activity or project

is the general term for a basis used over time rather than moment
inception
vsstarting point
43 6.2

The time when something first begins

is less formal and covers place, time, or situational basis
kickoff
vsstarting point
37 3.7

The official start of an event or activity

is the wider term for a basis, not only ceremonial or official moments
cradle
vsstarting point
33 5.0

A place where something begins or develops

is the general term for the initial basis rather than the early phase
startup
vsstarting point
22 3.4

The act of starting a machine, process, or system

is the wider term for any basis, not only acts of creation
initiation
vsstarting point
15 4.7

The act of beginning something such as a project

is the broader concept of basis, not limited to formal actions
commencement
vsstarting point
10 4.4

The start of something, for example an event or action

is the neutral term applying to place, time, or situational basis
first base
vsstarting point
  • Informal
8 4.4

An early step toward reaching a goal

is the general foundational idea rather than solely a progress stage
jumping-off point
vsstarting point
7 4.2

A place, idea, or situation where new action begins

is the broader general term used as a basis for later activity
jump-off
vsstarting point
  • US
4 4.1

The place or time where an event begins

is a more general term for the basis of later action or progress
running start
vsstarting point
3 3.4

A quick, strong beginning that gives an early advantage

is the neutral basis term without implying speed or advantage
founding
vsstarting point
2 4.0

The act of starting an organization for the first time, like a company or school

is the general basis term not limited to institution founders or acts
starting time
vsstarting point
2 1.8

The planned time when something begins

is broader, covering place or situation as well as scheduled time
point of departure
vsstarting point
1 4.5

An idea or fact used as a starting point for discussion and work

is used more generally as a neutral basis for action or progress
jumping-off place
vsstarting point
1 6.3

A place where someone starts a journey, project, or activity

is the wider idea of place or time used to begin activities
rootage
vsstarting point
  • Archaic
9.6

The place where something begins

is the neutral label emphasizing a basis for future activity
start-off
vsstarting point
3.2

The first moment when a race or event begins

is the broader label for a basis beyond contests and specific events
terminus a quo
vsstarting point
  • Formal
9.9

The first time from which something starts

is the general term for a basis without specialist legal or philosophical usage

Antonyms

1 3.9

The place or moment when something finishes

How Useful

launching pad
  • Specialized
4 4.4
starting point
69 3.0
meeting place
17 1.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

starting + point

The phrase 'starting point' is directly composed from 'starting' (initial/beginning) + 'point' (specific position or time), so its meaning — where something begins or the basis for further activity — is readily inferable from the parts. This is a common, compositional English noun phrase pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will almost certainly understand it.

Etymology

Starting point comes from the image of a marked place on a map or the line where a race begins, where the words starting and point show a clear spot to 'begin'. That's why it now means the place, time, or idea you use as a 'basis' for what comes next.