inaugural

[ in-aw-gyer-uhl, -ger-uhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to an inauguration:

   Harding's inaugural address.

2. marking the beginning of a new venture, series, etc.:

   the inaugural run of the pony express.

noun

1. an address, as of a president, at the beginning of a term of office.
2. an inaugural ceremony:

   to attend the presidential inaugural.

inaugural

/ ɪnˈɔːɡjʊrəl /

adjective

1. characterizing or relating to an inauguration

noun

1. a speech made at an inauguration, esp by a president of the US

Other Words From

• postin·augu·ral adjective
• prein·augu·ral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inaugural¹

1680–90; obsolete inaugure (< Latin inaugurāre to inaugurate ) + -al ¹, -al ²

Example Sentences

The 46th president spoke of school reopenings in his inaugural address and later said he would like to see most K-8 schools reopen during his first 100 days in office.

From Washington Post

Out of the 60 women that applied for exclusive mentorship programs, three inaugural winners were chosen to receive a Cantu-sponsored campaign valued at $160,000.

From Essence.com

The company is targeting this year for New Glenn’s inaugural launch.

From MIT Technology Review

The funding actually marked BTV’s first investment in a cohort member of its inaugural accelerator program.

From TechCrunch

Keren Taylor sobbed when she saw Gorman leave the inaugural stage.

From Washington Post

On June 18, 1971, the caucus threw its inaugural dinner at the Dunbar Hotel.

From The Daily Beast

“We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists” said Thomas Jefferson in his first inaugural.

From The Daily Beast

Thomas Jefferson also warned in his first inaugural that not “every difference of opinion is a difference of principle.”

From The Daily Beast

Which brings us to FDR's first inaugural speech assertion that "we have nothing to fear but fear itself."

From The Daily Beast

Richard Blanco made waves in 2013 when he was the first immigrant, Latino, and openly gay man to be the inaugural poet.

From The Daily Beast

(p. 362) Two years passed, and Abraham Lincoln gave utterance to other sentiments in his second inaugural address to the people.

From Project Gutenberg

One sentence in his inaugural address provoked derision: "We are at peace with all the world and the rest of mankind."

From Project Gutenberg

No possible argument, however, can reconcile these inaugural principles with the Kentucky resolutions.

From Project Gutenberg

The "penitentiarying" of Newt himself had been only the inaugural of more sweeping and hateful innovations.

From Project Gutenberg

Life is movement, cried Alois von Brinz, in his magnificent inaugural address.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• inauguration

More About Inaugural

What does inaugural mean?

Inaugural is used to describe things that involve or related to inauguration—the process of formally inducting someone into a position or officially opening something to use.

To induct someone or open something in this way is to inaugurate. The word inauguration also commonly refers to a ceremony in which a person or thing is inaugurated.

U.S. presidents are inaugurated—officially inducted into office and sworn in—on Inauguration Day, on which they usually give their inaugural address (speech). Such inaugurations are often planned by inaugural committees.

Inaugural can also be used as a noun as another word for an inauguration or an inaugural speech, though this is less common.

The verb inaugurate can also be used in a more general way meaning to formally or officially take action to begin something—to initiate or commence it.

Inaugural can also be used as an adjective to describe the first part of a new venture or series, as in This is the inaugural edition of the magazine—the very first issue!

Example: The president-elect will lay out her plans for her first 100 days in office during her inaugural address.

Where does inaugural come from?

The first records of the word inaugural come from the 1680s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb inaugurāre, meaning “to consecrate by augury.” In ancient Rome, an augury was the rite or ceremony held by an augur—a kind of soothsayer or priest whose job was to interpret omens to guide decisions. In Ancient Rome, the augurs were consulted before lawmakers officially took a position.

In the U.S., Inauguration Day involves the inauguration of the president through a swearing-in ceremony, typically followed by the inaugural address. The inauguration also commonly involves other traditional events, such as an inaugural luncheon and an inaugural ball.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to inaugural?

• inaugurate (verb)

What are some synonyms for inaugural?

• inauguration (when inaugural is used as a noun)
• initial

What are some words that share a root or word element with inaugural? 

• Inauguration Day
• augur
• augury

What are some words that often get used in discussing inaugural?

• address
• speech
• committee
• ceremony
• president
• edition

How is inaugural used in real life?

Inaugural is commonly used in the context of formal ceremonies and related things, such as inaugural addresses and inaugural committees. It’s also often used to describe the first edition or part of a series.

President-elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day theme will be “America United,” his inaugural committee announced.

He will also pay a visit to Arlington National Cemetery with former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. https://t.co/3VnxaHTX8Y

— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 11, 2021

Behind the Scenes: @GovChrisSununu delivers the 2021 Inaugural Address #nhpolitics pic.twitter.com/lb9ARQJwKI

— Brandon Pratt (@bprattNH) January 9, 2021

In Brouse's inaugural edition of "Environmental Outlook," Meagan Moore provides a checklist of 2021 action items for regulated businesses to ensure compliance with applicable environmental laws. https://t.co/GlKDWkyAt0#environmentallaw #environmentalcompliance pic.twitter.com/lzcjw6ePJe

— Brouse McDowell (@BrouseMcDowell) January 12, 2021

 

 

Try using inaugural!

True or False?

The president’s inaugural address is the speech given on Inauguration Day.