phrasal verb

• 1(of a machine or device) begin operating or being used.

  More example sentences

  • ‘he heard the sound of a car starting up’

  Synonyms

  begin working, start functioning, get going, start operating

  1. 1.1start something up, start up somethingCause a machine or device to begin operating or being used.
     More example sentences

     • ‘he started up the boat's engine’
     Synonyms

     activate, set in motion, switch on, turn on, fire up

• 2Embark on a venture or undertaking, especially a commercial one.

  More example sentences

  • ‘I can't start up on my own without capital’

  1. 2.1start something up, start up somethingEstablish a company or other enterprise.
     More example sentences

     • ‘when we started up the business, we could only afford second-hand machines’