inauguration

[in-aw-gyuh-rey-shuh n, -guh-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inauguration ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or ceremony of inaugurating.

Origin of inauguration

First recorded in 1560–70, inauguration is from the Late Latin word inaugurātiōn- (stem of inaugurātiō). See inaugurate, -ion.

Related formsre·in·au·gu·ra·tion, noun

Can be confusedinaugural inauguration

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for inauguration

launch, opening, inaugural, initiation, induction, commencement, investiture, institution

Examples from the Web for inauguration

Contemporary Examples of inauguration

The inauguration had to be held in the fortified Kremlin, surrounded by an eerily quiet city.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015
Movements.Org
December 25, 2014
In May he attended the inauguration of a museum to house the works of the Ecuadorian painter Santiago Carbonell in Querétaro.
Trading Dime Bags for Salvador Dali
Jason McGahan
October 19, 2014
How much of your family was able to see you read your poem at the inauguration?
Richard Blanco’s Gay Latino Poet Survival Kit
William O’Connor
October 8, 2014
Since his inauguration, Republicans have criticized President Obama for everything.
Obama, the Coffee Salute, and the Dementia on the Right
Sally Kohn
September 25, 2014
Here he is attending festivities for the first George W. Bush inauguration, along with Chuck Norris and Meatloaf.
Rambo Hates Guns: How Sylvester Stallone Became the Most Anti-Gun Celeb in Hollywood
Asawin Suebsaeng
August 14, 2014

Historical Examples of inauguration

Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
The English aristocracy and the celebrities of London came to the inauguration.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
Both the Monument and the inauguration were pronounced a perfect success.
Cleveland Past and Present
Maurice Joblin
This day was to witness the inauguration of the new Government.
Union and Democracy
Allen Johnson
The particulars of its inauguration are already familiar to the public.
Old Mackinaw
W. P. Strickland.

Word Origin and History for inauguration

1560s, from French inauguration "installation, consecration," and directly from Latin inaugurationem (nominative inauguratio) "consecration, installment under good omens," noun of action from past participle stem of inaugurare "take omens from the flight of birds; consecrate or install when such omens are favorable," from in- "on, in" (see in- (2)) + augurare "to act as an augur, predict" (see augur).