initiative

American  

[ih-nish-uh-tiv, ih-nish-ee-uh-] / ɪˈnɪʃ ə tɪv, ɪˈnɪʃ i ə- /

noun

initiatives plural

1. an introductory act or step; leading action.

   to take the initiative in making friends.

2. readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise.

   to lack initiative.

   Synonyms:

   dynamism, forcefulness, leadership

3. one's personal, responsible decision.

   to act on one's own initiative.

4. Government.

   1. a procedure by which a specified number of voters may propose a statute, constitutional amendment, or ordinance, and compel a popular vote on its adoption.

   2. the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.

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adjective

1. of or relating to formal admission or acceptance into a club or other group; signifying an initiation.

   The secret society's initiative events are best left undescribed.

2. serving to set in motion or initiate; introductory; beginning.

   Initiative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.

initiative British  

/ -ˈnɪʃətɪv, ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv /

noun

1. the first step or action of a matter; commencing move

   he took the initiative

   a peace initiative

2. the right or power to begin or initiate something

   he has the initiative

3. the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something

4. government

   1. the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body

   2. the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland

5. without being prompted

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adjective

1. of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory

initiative Idioms  

1. see on one's own account (initiative); take the initiative.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-initiative
  noun
• superinitiative
  noun
• uninitiative
  adjective
• initiatively
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• initiatives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of initiative

First recorded in 1785–95; initiate + -ive

Explanation

Initiative is all about taking charge. An initiative is the first in a series of actions. Initiative can also mean a personal quality that shows a willingness to get things done and take responsibility. An initiative is the start of something, with the hope that it will continue. Government and business start initiatives all the time. You can also talk about initiative as a personal quality. A person with initiative is motivated to do things. If you take the initiative, you're willing to get things done on your own. Taking initiative can be risky: If you do something on your own initiative, then there's nobody you can blame if it goes wrong.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

initiative initiatives

RE100, an initiative of the UK-based nonprofit Climate Group, aims to spur corporate climate action, and counts Apple, Google and Microsoft among its 444 members.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

The funding initiative passed, but by the embarrassingly narrow 10-vote margin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Jake Collective, a nonprofit foundation founded in Schreiber’s honor, is partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on a five-year, $5 million research initiative devoted the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and adolescents.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

St. Olaf College in Minnesota last year started an initiative that allows students to live in retirement-community townhouses, where they mix with senior residents.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

Any decrease in initiative required, such as the arrival of humans, snaps him back.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

The results may also be important for companies that invest in sustainability initiatives.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

Amazon said it remains committed to investing in AI, describing the layoffs as part of an effort to prioritize the initiatives it believes will have the greatest impact for customers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

It is hoped the charge, which aims to raise about £50m annually, could be used to fund improvements to the capital, including new housing, cultural initiatives and a wider police presence.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Tesla reiterated plans to book at least $25 billion in capex this year as it works on several initiatives.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

A year later he became director of WHO’s HIV/AIDS department, focusing on initiatives to help poor countries scale up their treatment, prevention, and care programs.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• action
• drive
• leadership
• push