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  

/ ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv, -ˈnɪʃətɪv /

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

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Etymology

Origin of initiative

First recorded in 1785–95; initiate + -ive

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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

United have good attackers but they will need to take the same initiative Palmer did, if platformed to their strengths - something Pochettino does well.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

COP31 host Turkey is championing a voluntary initiative to accelerate the electrification of transport, buildings and industry, with a target of raising electricity's share of global energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035.

From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2026

USC has an AI for Media & Storytelling initiative that explores the impact of generative AI on journalism and cinema.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026

“Given the potential profits generated by AI companies, I believe they should offer to address homelessness in the United States. This initiative would likely be very attractive to residents.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026

Annabeth didn’t feel particularly witty or courageous, but her instincts told her to take the initiative, or this would be a very short conversation.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The researchers drew on imaging information collected through several major research initiatives, including the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies, the Harvard Aging Brain Study, and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 14, 2026

They expect to use a slice of the stable investment returns to go toward wellness initiatives for family members.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 12, 2026

These creative state-led initiatives put employers in the driver’s seat for developing and recruiting early-career workers for their industries.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026

Dhillon’s success in those initiatives was middling at best — and in some areas disastrous.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

A year later he became director of WHO’s HIV/AIDS department, focusing on initiatives to help poor countries scale up their treatment, prevention, and care programs.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

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Related Words

• action
• drive
• leadership
• push

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