initiate

[ verb ih-nish-ee-eyt; adjective, noun ih-nish-ee-it, -eyt ]

/ verb ɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt; adjective, noun ɪˈnɪʃ i ɪt, -ˌeɪt /

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verb (used with object), in·i·ti·at·ed, in·i·ti·at·ing.

to begin, set going, or originate: to initiate major social reforms.

to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.

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

to propose (a measure) by initiative procedure: to initiate a constitutional amendment.

adjective

initiated; begun.

admitted into an organizaton or group, secret knowledge, etc.

introduced to the knowledge of a subject.

noun

a person who has been initiated.

Nearby words

initial rhyme, initial teaching alphabet, initialism, initialize, initially, initiate, initiating agent, initiation, initiation factor, initiative, initiator

Origin of initiate

1595–1605; < Latin initiātus past participle of initiāre, equivalent to initi(um) (see initial) + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR initiate

1 commence; introduce, inaugurate, open.

2 teach, instruct, indoctrinate, train.

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ANTONYMS FOR initiate

1 conclude.

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Related forms

in·i·ti·a·tor, nounnon·in·i·ti·ate, nounpre·in·i·ti·ate, verb (used with object), pre·in·i·ti·at·ed, pre·in·i·ti·at·ing.pre·in·i·ti·ate, noun

qua·si-in·i·ti·at·ed, adjectivere·in·i·ti·ate, verb (used with object), re·in·i·ti·at·ed, re·in·i·ti·at·ing.un·in·i·ti·ate, adjectiveun·in·i·ti·at·ed, adjectivewell-in·i·ti·at·ed, adjective

Synonym study

1. See begin.

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

Examples from the Web for initiating

It did not prove that Roosevelt was initiating an inevitable alliance against Nazism.
Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’|Clive Irving|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Also left unsaid by Wise: Goodell was not initiating a law enforcement investigation.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Sept 14|PunditFact.com|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She easily speaks what she thinks and not with the intention of initiating a fight with someone or playing games.
Game of Thrones’ Sibel Kekilli Discusses Shae’s Treachery at the Trial of Tyrion Lannister|Marlow Stern|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kerry is correct when he argues that Israel should be rewarded for initiating final status negotiations with the Palestinians.
Kerry Is Wrong to Pressure E.U. to Ease Up on West Bank Settlements|Aaron Magid|September 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

They just have to vote for initiating the disapproval resolution process.
The Debt Deal Will Be Painful|Michael Tomasky|July 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He condemns our statesmen for even now not initiating conscription, and making every unmarried man serve.
The Incomparable 29th and the "River Clyde"|George Davidson
In initiating them into the mysteries of French cookery my sister was of great service.
Freeland|Theodor Hertzka
They were active in every phase of life, hunting with men, taking part in and causing duels, intriguing and initiating intrigues.
Women of Modern France (Illustrated)|Hugo Paul Thieme (1870-1940)
Caring communicated through authentic presence is the initiating and sustaining medium of nursing within the nursing situation.
Nursing as Caring|Anne Boykin
But Trask understood that Doc was initiating them into the mysteries of smelting out gold from sand.
Isle o' Dreams|Frederick F. Moore

British Dictionary definitions for initiating

initiate

verb (ɪˈnɪʃɪˌeɪt) (tr)

to begin or originate

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

to teach fundamentals toshe initiated him into the ballet

adjective (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

initiated; begun

noun (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

a person who has been initiated, esp recently

a beginner; novice

Word Origin for initiate

C17: from Latin initiāre (vb), from initium; see initial

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for initiating (1 of 2)

initiate

"one who has been initiated," 1811, from past participle adjective initiate (c.1600); see initiate (v.).

Word Origin and History for initiating (1 of 2)

initiate

c.1600, "introduce to some practice or system," also "begin, set going," from Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare "to begin, originate," from initium "beginning" (see initial). In some senses a back-formation from initiation. Related: Initiated; initiates; initiating; initiator.

initiate