inaugural

[in-aw-gyer-uhl, -ger-uhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to an inauguration.

   Harding's inaugural address.

2. marking the beginning of a new venture, series, etc..

   the inaugural run of the pony express.

noun

1. an address, as of a president, at the beginning of a term of office.

2. an inaugural ceremony.

   to attend the presidential inaugural.

inaugural

/ ɪnˈɔːɡjʊrəl /

adjective

1. characterizing or relating to an inauguration

noun

1. a speech made at an inauguration, esp by a president of the US

Other Word Forms

• postinaugural adjective
• preinaugural adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inaugural¹

1680–90; obsolete inaugure (< Latin inaugurāre to inaugurate ) + -al ¹, -al ²

Example Sentences

The U.S. has only ever made the semifinals once — at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 — and has never made the final.

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To many it seemed, as President Franklin Roosevelt said in 1933 during his first inaugural address, that “the money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization.”

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It was, after all, the group’s inaugural field day.

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Patrick Quayle, who heads global network planning at United, said the airline also had to learn to expect the unexpected in its inaugural summer.

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The newly launched WXV Global Series and the southern hemisphere's The Rugby Championship both take place in October, the same month that R360's inaugural event is aimed at.

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Related Words

• inauguration 

When To Use

What does inaugural mean?

Inaugural is used to describe things that involve or related to inauguration—the process of formally inducting someone into a position or officially opening something to use.To induct someone or open something in this way is to inaugurate. The word inauguration also commonly refers to a ceremony in which a person or thing is inaugurated.U.S. presidents are inaugurated—officially inducted into office and sworn in—on Inauguration Day, on which they usually give their inaugural address (speech). Such inaugurations are often planned by inaugural committees.Inaugural can also be used as a noun as another word for an inauguration or an inaugural speech, though this is less 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.Inaugural can also be used as an adjective to describe the first part of a new venture or series, as in This is the inaugural edition of the magazine—the very first issue!Example: The president-elect will lay out her plans for her first 100 days in office during her inaugural address.