initiated

American  

[ih-nish-ee-ey-tid] / ɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. already having some knowledge of or experience in a particular art or subject.

   While other shows have faded into obscurity, Twin Peaks continues to capture the imaginations of new and initiated viewers alike.

2. admitted or accepted with formal rites into an organization or group, adult society, secret knowledge, etc..

   He is an initiated Wiccan priest, a healer and seer, and a keen student of natural medicine.

3. begun, originated, or set going.

   Despite the initiated reforms, markets are not convinced that this EU member country will be able to avoid restructuring its debt.

4. Government. proposed by initiative.

   In such cases a group of citizens can propose an initiated constitutional amendment to the people for a statewide vote.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of initiate.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uninitiated
  adjective
• quasi-initiated
  adjective
• well-initiated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of initiated

initiate ( def. ) + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Months after ICE initiated the audit, they descended on Ambiance, arresting more than 40 people, according to some estimates.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

The city initiated what turned into two years of community meetings under the banner “Reimagining Columbus.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

The man who shoved Kelver and who allegedly initiated the confrontation, known only as “S. Durham,” has not been charged.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026

The firm initiated coverage on IBM shares on Monday, rating them at Buy with a $350 price target.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

In each of those areas, food production was initiated by some of the same suite of domestic plants and animals that launched it in the Fertile Crescent.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• approved
• drafted
• instructed
• introduced
• passed
• received