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.
That seemed like a wise decision at the time since the first two matches of the inaugural tournament were affected by snow, with one of the opening games drawing just 4,444 fans.
From Los Angeles Times
The festival will also take in two other locations - Lincoln, where it held its inaugural event earlier this year, and Taunton.
From BBC
Heading into Thursday night’s game, the Rams were as hot as any team in the league, and the Chargers could finally get Justin Herbert that inaugural playoff victory.
From Los Angeles Times
Quiwa's ancestors built their first piece for the inaugural 1908 festival -- which has continued to this day and was only interrupted by war and the pandemic.
From Barron's
Last year Jamaica claimed a convincing victory against England to win the inaugural Horizon Series 2-1.
From BBC
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.
