initiative

American  

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

noun

• initiatives
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• initiatives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of initiative

First recorded in 1785–95; initiate + -ive

Explanation

Initiative is all about taking charge. An initiative is the first in a series of actions. Initiative can also mean a personal quality that shows a willingness to get things done and take responsibility. An initiative is the start of something, with the hope that it will continue. Government and business start initiatives all the time. You can also talk about initiative as a personal quality. A person with initiative is motivated to do things. If you take the initiative, you're willing to get things done on your own. Taking initiative can be risky: If you do something on your own initiative, then there's nobody you can blame if it goes wrong.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

initiative initiatives

“The Compassionate Allowances initiative cuts through red tape and allows us to deliver support to individuals who experience life-changing diagnoses and need help fast.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

The initiative was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2016 as a temporary way to analyze systemic issues that cause inequitable gender treatment and outcomes, and identify responses to help address those concerns.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

UKEclipse, an initiative set up by UK astronomers, also warns that major eclipses often attract "counterfeit and substandard eclipse glasses" and advises going through specialist retailers and organisations instead.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Now the Reagan-era initiative is officially back for the summer—and some adults want in on the nostalgic fun.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

Lipnitsky stressed the connection between commanding the center squares of the board and seizing the initiative through the mobilization of the pieces.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Among those initiatives is Target Trend Brain, an AI tool trained to sort through data from social media and fashion shows to help the company’s designers decide what is on trend.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Harris would also like to see pools offer more initiatives to ensure they are accessible to all families.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Charter also agreed to invest at least $30 million in customer outreach initiatives, such as digital literacy training and device access for low-income communities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

Today, Rivera is the director of special initiatives and innovations at the Center for Community Alternatives in Syracuse, New York.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

Kaiser, debt- ridden after a series of failed management initiatives and a long strike, closed the plant in 2001 and sold the factory carcass for salvage.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Related Words

• action
• drive
• leadership
• push