initiate

[ih-nish-ee-eyt, ih-nish-ee-it, -eyt]

verb (used with object)

initiated, initiating 

1. to begin, set going, or originate.

   to initiate major social reforms.

   Synonyms: open, inaugurate, introduce, commence
   Antonyms: conclude

2. to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.

   Synonyms: train, indoctrinate, instruct, teach

3. to admit or accept with formal rites into an organization or group, secret knowledge, adult society, etc.

4. Government.,  to propose (a measure) by initiative procedure.

   to initiate a constitutional amendment.

adjective

1. admitted into an organization or group, secret knowledge, etc.

2. introduced to the knowledge of a subject.

3. initiated; begun.

   the recently initiate measures.

noun

1. a person who has been initiated.

initiate

verb

1. to begin or originate

2. to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies

3. to teach fundamentals to

   she initiated him into the ballet

adjective

1. initiated; begun

noun

1. a person who has been initiated, esp recently

2. a beginner; novice

Other Word Forms

• initiator noun
• noninitiate noun
• preinitiate noun
• reinitiate verb (used with object)
• uninitiate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of initiate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin initiātus, past participle of initiāre “to ritually initiate, admit,” equivalent to initi(um) “beginning” + -ātus past participle suffix; initial, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of initiate¹

C17: from Latin initiāre (vb), from initium; see _initial

Synonym Study

See begin.

Example Sentences

“No such federal investigation exists; no law enforcement agency has initiated any criminal proceedings or investigations related to racketeering charges against Ms. Kardashian or Ms. Jenner; and no credible evidence whatsoever supports these inflammatory allegations.”

From Los Angeles Times

“They even initiated mixed-race individuals and people of other backgrounds — Chinese migrants, white Cubans — because this was about survival. The goal was to preserve something, to create something powerful and shared.”

From Los Angeles Times

No criminal investigation was initiated by Davis police.

From Los Angeles Times

National Crime Agency investigators had initiated a manhunt for Burton, who was living between the Netherlands and Spain after relocating from the UK in early 2021.

From BBC

“I can’t get them to initiate the money. It’s just a quagmire.”

From Salon

Related Words

• begin 
• commence 
• inaugurate 
• institute 
• launch 
• open 
• set up 
• take up 
• trigger