inaugurate

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.

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.

What are some other forms related to inaugurate?

• inauguration (noun)
• inaugural (adjective)
• inauguratory (adjective)
• inaugurator (noun)

What are some synonyms for inaugurate?

• initiate
• commence
• begin
• induct
• install
• dedicate

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

• Inauguration Day
• augur
• augury

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

• ceremony
• formal
• official
• office
• president
• government
• oath
• swear in

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.

The U.S takes roughly 2.5 months from election to inaugurate a new president whereas the U.K takes 1 day.

Why do we take so long?

Literally to give George Washington enough time to make it to the capital through the winter in 1789…https://t.co/adDCiUuLLM

— Sriram Ramakrishnan (@Sreezy3000) January 11, 2021

Today, Missouri will inaugurate our governor. Many who supported his opponent will wish him and his administration good luck in addressing issues important to Missourians. They will not question the legitimacy of the election or the electorate itself.

— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) January 11, 2021

The JFK assassination inaugurated an era of nihilism and paranoia in pop culture that endures 50 years later http://t.co/VDc9LE4Xwz

— Vince Larue (@CactusVince) November 19, 2013

True or False?

To inaugurate a politician is to remove them from office.