initiative

[ ih-nish-uh-tiv, ih-nish-ee-uh- ]

noun

1. an introductory act or step; leading action:

   to take the initiative in making friends.

2. readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise:

   to lack initiative.

   Synonyms: forcefulness, dynamism, leadership

3. one's personal, responsible decision:

   to act on one's own initiative.

4. Government.
   1. a procedure by which a specified number of voters may propose a statute, constitutional amendment, or ordinance, and compel a popular vote on its adoption. Compare referendum ( def 1 ).
   2. the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.

adjective

1. of or relating to formal admission or acceptance into a club or other group; signifying an initiation:

   The secret society's initiative events are best left undescribed.

2. serving to set in motion or initiate; introductory; beginning:

   Initiative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.

initiative

/ -ˈnɪʃətɪv; ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv /

noun

1. the first step or action of a matter; commencing move

   he took the initiative

   a peace initiative

2. the right or power to begin or initiate something

   he has the initiative

3. the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something
4. government
   1. the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body
   2. the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland
5. on one's own initiative
   without being prompted

adjective

1. of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory

Derived Forms

• inˈitiatively, adverb

Other Words From

• in·iti·a·tive·ly adverb
• self-in·iti·a·tive noun
• super·in·iti·a·tive noun
• unin·iti·a·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of initiative¹

First recorded in 1785–95; initiate + -ive

Idioms and Phrases

see on one's own account (initiative) ; take the initiative .

Example Sentences

“We do not anticipate that the Missouri ballot initiative will have an immediate or drastic impact on those numbers.”

From Salon

Sixty percent of the club’s members rejected the initiative, but tens of thousands of members voted for it, demonstrating the reach of Tanton’s worldview.

From Salon

That happening is a genuine fear for Mustafa Barghouti, a West Bank-based veteran Palestinian politician who is leader of the Palestinian National Initiative political movement.

From BBC

However, that figure could be dwarfed by a federal initiative to fund a Mars mission, which is the stated goal of SpaceX.

From Los Angeles Times

The initiative, called the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• action
• drive
• leadership
• push