Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for inaugurate

inaugurate

[ in-aw-gyuh-reyt, -guh- ]

verb (used with object)

, in·au·gu·rat·ed, in·au·gu·rat·ing.
  1. to make a formal beginning of; initiate; commence; begin:

    The end of World War II inaugurated the era of nuclear power.

  2. to induct into office with formal ceremonies; install.
  3. to introduce into public use by some formal ceremony:

    Airmail service between Washington, D.C., and New York City was inaugurated in 1918.



inaugurate

/ ɪnˈɔːɡjʊˌreɪt; -trɪ; ɪnˈɔːɡjʊrətərɪ /

verb

  1. to commence officially or formally; initiate
  2. to place in office formally and ceremonially; induct
  3. to open ceremonially; dedicate formally

    to inaugurate a factory

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • inauguratory, adjective
  • inˈauguˌrator, noun
  • inˌauguˈration, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • in·augu·rator noun
  • prein·augu·rate verb (used with object) preinaugurated preinaugurating
  • rein·augu·rate verb (used with object) reinaugurated reinaugurating
  • unin·augu·rated adjective
  • well-in·augu·rated adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of inaugurate1

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin inaugurātus, past participle of inaugurāre “to consecrate by augury (a person chosen for priesthood or other office),” literally, “to take auguries”); in- 2, augur 1, -ate 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of inaugurate1

C17: from Latin inaugurāre, literally: to take omens, practise augury, hence to install in office after taking auguries; see in- ², augur
Discover More

Example Sentences

Harris has not said publicly what she plans to do after President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20, and a Harris representative did not respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this year, PM Modi inaugurated a grand new temple at the site, fulfilling a longstanding promise by his party.

From BBC

And it’s unlikely the migration south will stop once Donald Trump is inaugurated and occupies the Oval Office once more.

From BBC

Sir John said he suspected the Israeli PM would seek to achieve most of the country's military goals before the next US president is inaugurated in January.

From BBC

They’re one of the few ways to increase property taxes — often the revenue source to repay the bonds — given public financing rules inaugurated by the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978.

Advertisement

Discover More

More About Inaugurate

What does inaugurate mean?

Inaugurate most generally means to formally or officially take action to begin something. Close synonyms are the verbs initiate and commence.

More specifically, inaugurate means to officially induct someone into a position with a formal ceremony. A close synonym of this sense of the word is install.

The noun inauguration refers to the process of inaugurating or a ceremony in which a person or thing is inaugurated. Things involving or related to inauguration can be described with the adjective inaugural.

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

Inaugurate can also mean to introduce something into use with a formal ceremony. A new factory or public building might be inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony or a dedication ceremony, for example.

In every sense of the word, inaugurate implies at least some formality.

Its general sense—meaning to initiate or commence—is typically used in the context of events considered important, such as historical eras, as in The rise of the empire inaugurated a period of renewed warfare. 

Example: In the U.S., presidents are elected in November, but their terms don’t officially begin until they are inaugurated in January.

Where does inaugurate come from?

The first records of the word inaugurate come from right around 1600. It comes from the Latin inaugurātus, from the 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., the president is inaugurated on January 20 following a presidential election (or January 21 if January 20 falls on a Sunday). This date is set by the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the first president inaugurated on this day when he began his second term in 1937. Other elected officials, such as governors, are also inaugurated to start their terms, but the inauguration of the president is the most well-known, likely due to the importance of the office and the grand nature of the ceremony.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to inaugurate?

What are some synonyms for inaugurate?

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

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

How is inaugurate used in real life?

Inaugurate is most commonly used in the context of formal ceremonies. In the U.S., the word is closely associated with the official induction of a new president.

 

 

Try using inaugurate!

True or False?

To inaugurate a politician is to remove them from office.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


inauguralinauguration