kickoff

or kick-off

[ kik-awf, -of ]
/ ˈkɪkˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Football. a place kick or a drop kick from the 40-yard line of the team kicking at the beginning of the first and third periods or after the team kicking has scored a touchdown or field goal.
Soccer. a kick that puts a stationary ball into play from the center line of the field at the start of a quarter or after a goal has been scored.
the initial stage of something; start; beginning: the campaign kickoff.

Origin of kickoff

First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase kick off

Example sentences from the Web for kickoff