initiate

American  

[ih-nish-ee-eyt, ih-nish-ee-it, -eyt] / ɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt, ɪˈnɪʃ i ɪt, -ˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

initiated, initiating

1. to begin, set going, or originate.

   to initiate major social reforms.

   Synonyms:

   open, inaugurate, introduce, commence

   Antonyms:

   conclude

2. to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.

   Synonyms:

   train, indoctrinate, instruct, teach

3. to admit or accept with formal rites into an organization or group, secret knowledge, adult society, etc.

4. Government. to propose (a measure) by initiative procedure.

   to initiate a constitutional amendment.

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adjective

1. admitted into an organization or group, secret knowledge, etc.

2. introduced to the knowledge of a subject.

3. initiated; begun.

   the recently initiate measures.

noun

1. a person who has been initiated.

initiate British  

verb

1. to begin or originate

2. to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies

3. to teach fundamentals to

   she initiated him into the ballet

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adjective

1. initiated; begun

noun

1. a person who has been initiated, esp recently

2. a beginner; novice

Related Words

See begin.

Other Word Forms

• initiator noun
• noninitiate noun
• preinitiate verb (used with object)
• reinitiate verb (used with object)
• uninitiate adjective

Etymology

Origin of initiate

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin initiātus, past participle of initiāre “to ritually initiate, admit,” equivalent to initi(um) “beginning” + -ātus past participle suffix; initial, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

In that traditional view, the genome remained largely unstructured until it "woke up" and initiated its genetic program.

From Science Daily

Some Democratic members of the committee voted in favour of initiating contempt proceedings.

From BBC

The WEF initiated an inquiry earlier this month following the release of millions of documents related to Epstein by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a statement, the Spanish club said they have asked its disciplinary committee "to initiate an immediate expulsion procedure" for the fan.

From BBC

Indeed, the median spread is now lower than it was in January 2022, just before the invasion initiated the most deadly and destructive war in Europe for eight decades.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• begin
• commence
• inaugurate
• institute
• launch
• open
• set up
• take up
• trigger