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.
So give Russia one chance, and then NATO mutual defense kicks in? Simon Shuster / Munich, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025 In 2015, in accordance with the contract terms, a three-year extension kicked in. Alix Strauss, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 In Otto's case, his herding instincts kicked in, showcasing how dogs can learn to look after their feline family members. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025 Not great for a guy whose eight-year extension hasn’t even kicked in yet. Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025 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 24 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

kick in

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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