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

Under the new initiative, every young person who has been on Universal Credit for 18 months without "earning or learning" will be offered a guaranteed paid work placement.

From BBC

By the way, nice job recently on your presentation at the National Bible Museum, where you launched the “America Prays” initiative to celebrate spirituality and restore “our identity as one nation under God.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Together, we can apply the best available science to reduce the risk of entanglement, through strategies like supporting fisher-led initiatives, improving detection and response efforts, and enhancing reporting and data sharing.”

From Los Angeles Times

That program caps greenhouse gas emissions and raises billions for the California climate initiatives.

From Los Angeles Times

That ballot was the president's initiative, an attempt to set Moldova's EU path in stone.

From BBC

Related Words

• action 
• drive 
• leadership 
• push