initialize

American  

[ih-nish-uh-lahyz] / ɪˈnɪʃ əˌlaɪz /

especially British, initialise

verb (used with object)

Computers.

initialized, initializing

1. to set (variables, counters, switches, etc.) to their starting values at the beginning of a program or subprogram.

2. to clear (internal memory, a disk, etc.) of previous data in preparation for use.

---

initialize British  

/ ɪˈnɪʃəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to assign an initial value to (a variable or storage location) in a computer program

---

Other Word Forms

• initialization noun

Etymology

Origin of initialize

First recorded in 1955–60; initial + -ize

Example Sentences

Essentially a program, it initializes a multistep session of identifying, researching and fact-checking a set of claims.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Using a combination of biochemical and computational methods, we now know the structure of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R14 and the mechanisms that initializes the sensation of bitter taste in our tongues."

From Science Daily

The pangrams from yesterday’s Spelling Bee were initialize and tantalize.

From New York Times

However, the ADS was not functional at that moment due to the computer unit not having been initialized, and should not have been attempted to be activated.

From The Verge

Do not initialize your NAS, as this will erase your data.

From The Verge

Related Words

• load
• log in