initiative
[ ih-nish-uh-tiv, ih-nish-ee-uh- ]
/ ɪˈnɪʃ ə tɪv, ɪˈnɪʃ i ə- /
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noun
an introductory act or step; leading action: to take the initiative in making friends.
readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise: to lack initiative.
one's personal, responsible decision: to act on one's own initiative.
Government.
- 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.Compare referendum (def. 1).
- the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.
adjective
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.
serving to set in motion or initiate; introductory; beginning: Initiative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.
OTHER WORDS FOR initiative
QUIZ
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
OTHER WORDS FROM initiative
in·i·ti·a·tive·ly, adverbself-in·i·ti·a·tive, nounsu·per·in·i·ti·a·tive, nounun·in·i·ti·a·tive, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use initiative in a sentence
All liberty, all self-government, all self-initiative have been crushed in the iron vise of dictated policy.
The Red Conspiracy|Joseph J. MeretoIs this condition of depravity and inability of self-initiative due to “race traits and tendencies?”
It is also called Seed because it is the mystery of the power of growth and development; it is self-initiative.
The Gnostic Crucifixion|G. R. S. Mead
British Dictionary definitions for initiative
initiative
/ (ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv, -ˈnɪʃətɪv) /
noun
the first step or action of a matter; commencing movehe took the initiative; a peace initiative
the right or power to begin or initiate somethinghe has the initiative
the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something
government
- the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body
- the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland
on one's own initiative without being prompted
adjective
of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory
Derived forms of initiative
initiatively, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with initiative
initiative
see on one's own account (initiative); take the initiative.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.