initiative

[ih-nish-uh-tiv, ih-nish-ee-uh-]

noun

1. an introductory act or step; leading action.

   to take the initiative in making friends.

2. readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise.

   to lack initiative.

   Synonyms: dynamism, forcefulness, leadership

3. one's personal, responsible decision.

   to act on one's own initiative.

4. Government.

   1. 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.

   2. the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.

adjective

1. 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.

2. serving to set in motion or initiate; introductory; beginning.

   Initiative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.

initiative

/ -ˈnɪʃətɪv, ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv /

noun

1. the first step or action of a matter; commencing move

   he took the initiative

   a peace initiative

2. the right or power to begin or initiate something

   he has the initiative

3. the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something

4. government

   1. the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body

   2. the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland

5. without being prompted

adjective

1. of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory

Other Word Forms

• initiatively adverb
• self-initiative noun
• superinitiative noun
• uninitiative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of initiative¹

First recorded in 1785–95; initiate + -ive

Idioms and Phrases

see on one's own account (initiative); take the initiative.

Example Sentences

Major tech firms including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have announced workforce reductions over the past two years, with many citing the need to reallocate resources, including jobs, toward AI initiatives.

Read more on Barron's

Glass Lewis is thus updating its house-recommendation approach and pursuing additional initiatives to build trust in the market in at least three ways.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Duke’s interim dean of admissions, Kathy Phillips, said the revision aligns with a school initiative to “build skills to engage with complex topics with an open mind and humility.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The initiative was focused on growing ocean literacy, improving the sustainable management of the local marine heritage and promoting the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with the ocean.

Read more on BBC

To do that, Brussels is betting on its Global Gateway initiative -- a massive infrastructure plan it hopes can counter China's growing influence.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• action 
• drive 
• leadership 
• push