noun (n)

• an electric motor for starting an engine(noun.artifact)

  Synonym:
  starter motor, starting motor
  

  source: wordnet30
• a contestant in a team sport who is in the game at the beginning(noun.person)

  source: wordnet30
• the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition(noun.person)

  Synonym:
  dispatcher
  

  source: wordnet30
• any new participant in some activity(noun.person)

  Synonym:
  entrant, fledgeling, fledgling, freshman, neophyte, newbie, newcomer
  

  source: wordnet30
• food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served before a meal or as the first course)(noun.food)

  Synonym:
  appetiser, appetizer
  

  source: wordnet30
• a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle(noun.artifact)

  Synonym:
  crank
  

  source: wordnet30
• a culture containing yeast or bacteria that is used to start the process of fermentation or souring in making butter or cheese or dough(noun.act)

  Example:
  To make sourdough you need a starter.
  

  source: wordnet30
• One who, or that which, starts; as, a starter on a journey; the starter of a race.(noun)

  source: webster1913