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

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says the “audience rights” initiative she announced last month is designed to protect the public from fake news.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

“It’s not rocket science,” the spokesperson wrote of this initiative in a response to ProPublica’s questions.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

NGO director Juan Pablo Dos Santos launched a fundraising initiative to help amputees and has so far raised $453,000 toward a target of $2 million.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

Last December, the Defense Department launched the “Drone Dominance” program, a $1 billion initiative meant to accelerate domestic drone manufacturing.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

Pecola always took the initiative with Marie, who, once inspired, was difficult to stop.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

Charter promised to invest $30 million in education and awareness initiatives in California, including community outreach and digital literacy training.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Like her husband Will Alpine, another co-author, Holly Alpine used to work at Microsoft, where they were both involved in sustainability initiatives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

Some AI initiatives may take longer to manifest in a way that pleases investors.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

A Kosovo government spokesperson said: "We value the willingness of partner countries to initiate and advance new co-operation initiatives that serve common interests, mutual priorities, and the strengthening of international justice mechanisms".

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

He wanted the nation’s attention on his sweeping plans for his Great Society initiatives: a series of economic and social reforms to eliminate poverty and social injustice.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Related Words

• action
• drive
• leadership
• push