start

(noun): The beginning of an activity.
(noun): A sudden involuntary movement.
(noun): The beginning point of a race, a board game, etc.
(noun): An appearance in a sports game, horserace, etc., from the beginning of the event.
(noun): A young plant germinated in a pot to be transplanted later.
(noun): An initial advantage over somebody else; a head start.

The movie was entertaining from start to finish.
He woke with a start.
Captured pieces are returned to the start of the board.
Jones has been a substitute before, but made his first start for the team last Sunday.
to get, or have, the start