initiate

[ verb ih-nish-ee-eyt; adjective noun ih-nish-ee-it, -eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·i·ti·at·ed, in·i·ti·at·ing.

1. to begin, set going, or originate:

   to initiate major social reforms.

   Synonyms: open, inaugurate, introduce, commence

   Antonyms: conclude

2. to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.

   Synonyms: train, indoctrinate, instruct, teach

3. to admit or accept with formal rites into an organization or group, secret knowledge, adult society, etc.
4. Government. to propose (a measure) by initiative procedure:

   to initiate a constitutional amendment.

adjective

1. admitted into an organization or group, secret knowledge, etc.
2. introduced to the knowledge of a subject.
3. initiated; begun:

   the recently initiate measures.

noun

1. a person who has been initiated.

initiate

verb

1. to begin or originate
2. to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies
3. to teach fundamentals to

   she initiated him into the ballet

adjective

1. initiated; begun

noun

1. a person who has been initiated, esp recently
2. a beginner; novice

Other Words From

• in·i·ti·a·tor noun
• non·in·i·ti·ate noun
• pre·in·i·ti·ate verb (used with object) preinitiated preinitiating
• pre·in·i·ti·ate noun
• re·in·i·ti·ate verb (used with object) reinitiated reinitiating
• un·in·i·ti·ate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of initiate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin initiātus, past participle of initiāre “to ritually initiate, admit,” equivalent to initi(um) “beginning” + -ātus past participle suffix; initial, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of initiate¹

C17: from Latin initiāre (vb), from initium; see initial

Synonym Study

See begin.

Example Sentences

Possessing a round and pleasant face, Kinnear does not, at first glance, seem the obvious next initiate into a society that favors the more chiseled mien.

From Los Angeles Times

However, if the body fails to detect these changes or to initiate repair, the mutations could accumulate and over time lead to cancer.

From Science Daily

It's clear that the tag team of Stephen Miller and Tom Homan are prepared to initiate Trump's mass deportation program immediately upon taking office.

From Salon

"It may sound silly, and the translation of our work into a marketable drug will take years, but we now have a potentially targetable brain circuit for creating therapeutics that could instantly slow breathing and initiate a peaceful, meditative state."

From Science Daily

Trump and his allies have promised to initiate their radical right-wing agenda the minute after he takes his hand off the Bible on Inauguration Day.

From Salon

Related Words

• begin
• commence
• inaugurate
• institute
• launch
• open
• set up
• take up
• trigger