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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See synonyms for: initiate / initiated / initiates / initiating on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

adjective

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

introduced to the knowledge of a subject.

initiated; begun: the recently initiate measures.

noun

a person who has been initiated.

OTHER WORDS FOR initiate

1 commence; introduce, inaugurate, open.

2 teach, instruct, indoctrinate, train.

See synonyms for initiate on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR initiate

1 conclude.

See antonyms for initiate on Thesaurus.com

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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; see initial,-ate¹

synonym study for initiate

1. See begin.

OTHER WORDS FROM initiate

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

re·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, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use initiate in a sentence

Newsham said police must turn on their cameras as soon as they initiate a traffic stop, generally at the same time that they activate their emergency lights.
Police video shows fatal crash as D.C. officers attempt to stop moped driver|Peter Hermann, Justin Jouvenal, Julie Zauzmer|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
San Diego Unified leaders, who have been under pressure for weeks to provide more details about when they might initiate a widespread back-to-school plan, set a tentative date for the second phase of their school reopening plan.
Morning Report: Introducing The Voice Poll|Voice of San Diego|October 28, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The Clinton administration initiated the Microsoft case, the Bush DOJ was less interested and settled it.
DOJ antitrust suit: Google uses contracts, market power to neutralize rivals|Greg Sterling|October 21, 2020|Search Engine Land
Keeping your chest forward and head up, initiate the movement by stepping your opposite hand and knee forward.
Pocket This Anti-Stress Routine for Difficult Days|Lauren Bedosky|October 20, 2020|Outside Online

To initiate feeding, the first pump opens to lower the pressure and draw the blood up into the proboscis.
Evolution made mosquitos into stealthy, sensitive vampires|Erica McAlister|October 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Women also reported initiating sex more frequently with partners who had a sense of humor.
Was 2014 the Year Science Discovered The Female Orgasm?|Samantha Allen|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
In this (p. 93) way they have proved very useful in initiating many a tiro into the secrets and mysteries of yacht racing.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.
But divine service requires not only initiating, but also maintaining worthily of God.
Separation and Service|James Hudson Taylor
But Trask understood that Doc was initiating them into the mysteries of smelting out gold from sand.
Isle o' Dreams|Frederick F. Moore
Bell and Lancaster, of whom I shall have to speak, were rival claimants for the honour of initiating a new departure in education.
The English Utilitarians, Volume I.|Leslie Stephen
But constitutionally, we appear incapable of initiating ideas.
Up and Down|Edward Frederic Benson

British Dictionary definitions for initiate

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

initiate

OTHER WORDS FOR initiate

OPPOSITES FOR initiate

Origin of initiate

synonym study for initiate

OTHER WORDS FROM initiate

Words related to initiate

How to use initiate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for initiate

Word Origin for initiate