inaugural
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to an inauguration.
Harding's inaugural address.
-
marking the beginning of a new venture, series, etc..
the inaugural run of the pony express.
noun
-
an address, as of a president, at the beginning of a term of office.
-
an inaugural ceremony.
to attend the presidential inaugural.
adjective
noun
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- postinaugural adjective
- preinaugural adjective
Etymology
Origin of inaugural
1680–90; obsolete inaugure (< Latin inaugurāre to inaugurate ) + -al 1, -al 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While accepting the inaugural award for best podcast at last Sunday’s Golden Globes, Amy Poehler — perennial optimist and the mind behind some of contemporary culture’s most feel-good media — made a rare off-color joke.
From Salon
Jones, who worked for the Jaguars as an administrative assistant during their inaugural season in 1995, has no problem admitting she’s a fan of the team she now covers.
From Los Angeles Times
Last May, she was named a member of the Golden State Valkyries Collective and creative-directed the team’s inaugural fashion show, celebrating the intersection of sports and fashion.
From Los Angeles Times
The ad is the latest component of OpenAI’s expensive marketing offensive, which began last year with its inaugural Super Bowl commercial—its first foray into paid advertising.
The inaugural season runs from January to March but beginning in 2026-27 school year the plan is to move to the traditional winter sports window, November through January.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
