initiative

American  

[ih-nish-uh-tiv, ih-nish-ee-uh-] / ɪˈnɪʃ ə tɪv, ɪˈnɪʃ i ə- /

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.

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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 British  

/ -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

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adjective

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

initiative Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of initiative

First recorded in 1785–95; initiate + -ive

Example Sentences

Nick Yeatman, the chief executive at Trovr, added: "We want to turn everyday actions into meaningful impact; the initiative at Weston Favell brings that to life in a simple, rewarding way."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

And although the sales outlook for the current quarter was disappointing, as the launch of the new RH Estates initiative was delayed, Friedman tried to reassure investors that sales growth would resume acceleration.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

These elevated costs were partially offset by Lamb Weston’s cost savings initiative, the company said.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The initiative, and ambitious goals, are supposed to jump-start JPMorgan bankers and employees to do more.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Comes for my recycling every week, like clockwork, all on his own initiative.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

• action
• drive
• leadership
• push