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

After taking office in 2022, Bass declared a local emergency on homelessness and launched her Inside Safe initiative, which has put thousands of people into hotels and motels.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The U.S. and regional mediators are pushing for a ⁠potential 45-day cease-fire but Iran has so far rejected the initiative, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

The initiative was formally introduced at a press conference at the Archaeological Museum of Frankfurt.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

“Taking initiative, being a self starter and being able to advocate for yourself is a skillset that is helpful when you practice law.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 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