initiative

1 of 2

noun

ini·​tia·​tive i-ˈni-shə-tiv How to pronounce initiative (audio)
 also  -shē-ə-tiv
1
: an introductory step
took the initiative in attempting to settle the issue
2
: energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action : enterprise
showed great initiative
3
a
: the right to initiate legislative action
b
: a procedure enabling a specified number of voters by petition to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to the legislature for approval compare referendum sense 1

initiative

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to initiation : introductory, preliminary
Phrases
on one's own initiative
: at one's own discretion : independently of outside influence or control

Examples of initiative in a Sentence

Noun … on the day before their Club Med flight she took the initiative of telephoning Franco from work, ostensibly to tell him that she had really admired his new place … John Barth, Atlantic, March 1995
Following initiatives begun before the First World War, thirty-four states instituted or expanded workers' compensation laws in the 1920s. Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
Since the social victim has been oppressed by society, he comes to feel that his individual life will be improved more by changes in society than by his own initiative. Shelby Steele, Harper's, June 1988
If you want to meet her, you're going to have to take the initiative and introduce yourself. The company has the opportunity to seize the initiative by getting its new products to the market before its competitors. The governor has proposed a new initiative to improve conditions in urban schools. Adjective Luther's daring initiative thoughts did indeed come from above, but he owed them to no man or age. Junius B. Remensnyder, What the World Owes Luther, 1917
Many writers maintain that there is a rule of International Law forbidding the commencement of war without a declaration of war. But such rule, in fact, does not exist, for a great many wars take place without an initiative declaration of war. Lassa Oppenheim, International Law, 1906
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Little Rock Central High School senior Kevin Durden won the Lindsey Ball Parker Award and Jim Rollins received the Director's Award during the EAST initiative's annual conference in Hot Springs held March 12-14. arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2024 Additionally, Democrats secured new funding for Alzheimer's research and cancer research, among other initiatives. Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for initiative 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'initiative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see initiate entry 1

Adjective

see initiate entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of initiative was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near initiative

Cite this Entry

“Initiative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiative. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

initiative

noun
ini·​tia·​tive
in-ˈish-ət-iv
1
: a first step or movement
take the initiative in becoming acquainted
2
: energy shown in initiating something
has ability but lacks initiative
3
: a plan or program intended to solve a problem

Legal Definition

initiative

noun
ini·​tia·​tive i-ˈni-shə-tiv, -shē-ə-tiv How to pronounce initiative (audio)
1
: the especially introductory series of steps taken to cause a desired result
the deposing party would ordinarily be required to take the initiative in arranging a depositionAndrews v. Bradshaw, 895 P.2d 973 (1995)
2
a
: the right to initiate legislative action
b
: a procedure enabling a specified number of voters by petition to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to the legislature for approval see also referendum

More from Merriam-Webster on initiative

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