Learner's definition of RUNNING START
— used to say that a person or animal is running at the start of a race, jump, etc.
How fast can you cover 100 meters if you have a running start? [=if you are already running when you pass the starting point of that 100 meters?]
The sprinters were given a running start. [=were allowed to be running at the start of the race]
— often used figuratively
The new mayor is off to a running start. [=flying start] [=the new mayor has been successful very quickly]
The company was given a running start [=head start, advantage] by its experience with similar projects in the past.