initiative
an introductory act or step; leading action: to take the initiative in making friends.
readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise: to lack initiative.
one's personal, responsible decision: to act on one's own initiative.
Government.
a procedure by which a specified number of voters may propose a statute, constitutional amendment, or ordinance, and compel a popular vote on its adoption.: Compare referendum (def. 1).
the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.
of or relating to formal admission or acceptance into a club or other group; signifying an initiation: The secret society's initiative events are best left undescribed.
serving to set in motion or initiate; introductory; beginning: Initiative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.
Origin of initiative
1Other words for initiative
Other words from initiative
- in·i·ti·a·tive·ly, adverb
- self-in·i·ti·a·tive, noun
- su·per·in·i·ti·a·tive, noun
- un·in·i·ti·a·tive, adjective
Words Nearby initiative
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use initiative in a sentence
Rich countries are backing this initiative, but so far, the majority have not yet dipped into their own stockpiles to contribute vaccines.
They engaged in a more purposeful way than ever before to redesign the brand’s approach to paid search marketing in an effort to align with the business’s overall digital transformation initiatives.
Case study: Schneider Electric’s digital transformation through centralized search | Evan Kent and Kimberly Dutcher | February 11, 2021 | Search Engine WatchThe initiative is designed to help poorer countries deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
What African countries should be fighting for in negotiations with China | Hannah Ryder | February 11, 2021 | QuartzHe said it was the right time in the organization’s development to begin leading the way on policy initiatives.
Vacancy Tax Study Is Giving City Officials Déjà Vu | Lisa Halverstadt and Andrew Keatts | February 10, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoThe research initiative began in 2000 due to increased sightings and a growing fear of conflicts with humans.
Four wild animals that are thriving in cities | By Ryan Chelius/Outdoor Life | February 9, 2021 | Popular-Science
This initiative had the support of all 22 members of the Arab League, which in and of itself is remarkable.
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead | Dean Obeidallah | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter almost five months without a solution, the lack of initiative is starting to embarrass the Lebanese government.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda | Ruth Michaelson | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI started volunteering around Atlanta with the Health initiative and some other groups and stuff, and with HRC and everything.
How A Company’s Support of Gay Employees Helped One of Them To Come Out | | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShortly thereafter, Facebook announced a similar initiative, although their plan calls for the use of drones instead of balloons.
A major part of the Obama initiative aims to get more and better Internet access for the Cuban people.
Obama Realizes What 10 Presidents Didn’t: Isolating Cuba Doesn’t Work | Christopher Dickey | December 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI do not think, however, that he taught this on his own initiative, but possibly at Rubinsteins expressed wish.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste TchaikovskyIt is the initiative spirit that is wanting; for, thank Heaven, it is neither the brain nor the money that lacks.
Friend Mac Donald | Max O'RellThe governor was further to have the initiative of all measures proposed in the council, five of whom were required for a quorum.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. NolanBy his initiative Italian naval industry, almost non-existent in 1873, made rapid progress.
Could not one or two of the more favoured sex manage to inspire them with a little initiative?
The Daughters of Danaus | Mona Caird
British Dictionary definitions for initiative
/ (ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv, -ˈnɪʃətɪv) /
the first step or action of a matter; commencing move: he took the initiative; a peace initiative
the right or power to begin or initiate something: he has the initiative
the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something
government
the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body
the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland
on one's own initiative without being prompted
of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory
Derived forms of initiative
- initiatively, adverb
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with initiative
see on one's own account (initiative); take the initiative.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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