inauguration

American  

[in-aw-gyuh-rey-shuhn, -guh-] / ɪnˌɔ gyəˈreɪ ʃən, -gə- /

noun

1. an act or ceremony of inaugurating.

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Usage

What does inauguration mean? Inauguration is the process of inaugurating someone—officially inducting them into a position. It can also refer to the process of introducing something into use with a formal ceremony. Inauguration is also commonly used to refer to a ceremony in which a person or thing is inaugurated. The inauguration of U. S. presidents—in which they are officially inducted into office and sworn in—happens on Inauguration Day. The inauguration of a new factory or public building might involve a ribbon-cutting ceremony or a dedication ceremony, for example. However, the word is not all that commonly used in this way. In the context of buildings, the word dedication is more 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. The noun inauguration can also be used in this general way to mean initiation or commencement, as in The end of the war brought about the inauguration of a new era. Example: In the U. S., presidents are elected in November, but their terms don’t officially begin until their inauguration in January.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reinauguration
  noun

Etymology

Origin of inauguration

First recorded in 1560–70, inauguration is from the Late Latin word inaugurātiōn- (stem of inaugurātiō ). See inaugurate, -ion.

Explanation

An inauguration is a ceremony that formally marks the start of something. You’ve probably seen the inauguration ceremony when a new president takes office. Inauguration can refer to a formal ceremony, such as one marking the start of a new term in office or the opening of a new wing in a museum, but it can be used more broadly to describe a less formal beginning. Your boss may make you responsible for the inauguration of a new system at work. There probably won’t be a ceremony for that inauguration — in this case, inauguration just indicates that a new practice is being introduced.

Example Sentences

“When Eisenhower was passing on the baton of leadership at the inauguration for JFK, JFK asked, ‘What gave you the edge on D-day?’

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Between the Japanese surrender in August 1945 and Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in January 1981 U.S. consumer prices rose nearly 400%, an average annual inflation rate of 4.6%.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

Greenlandic broadcaster KNR reported that Howery told guests at the inauguration that Trump had now ruled out the use of force to control Greenland and said that Greenlanders would decide their future themselves.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

A host of companies gave money to last year’s inauguration festivities.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

He had known several of them in previous assignments and other bases and he had met almost all of them in the days preceding his inauguration as their commander.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• commencement
• inaugural
• induction
• initiation
• launch
• launching
• opening