inaugurate

verb

in·​au·​gu·​rate i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt 

-gə-ˌrāt

inaugurated; inaugurating

transitive verb

1

: to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies

2

a

: to dedicate ceremoniously : observe formally the beginning of

inaugurate a new school

b

: to bring about the beginning of

an event that inaugurated a new era in history

inaugurator

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrā-tər 

-gə-ˌrā-

noun

Synonyms of inaugurate

• establish
• initiate
• launch
• introduce
• pioneer
• create
• found
• institute

Choose the Right Synonym for inaugurate

begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate, usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation.

begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable.

begin, opposed to end, is the most general.

begin a trip

began dancing

start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing

commenced a conversation

initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Examples of inaugurate in a Sentence

They inaugurated the new headquarters with a brief ceremony.

inaugurated the college's athletic program for women

Recent Examples on the Web

It was inaugurated in 1960, in time for the Olympics, and had a revolutionary design with viewing galleries at the front and back of the train that allowed passengers to take in the scenery. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

The European Amputee Football Federation, or EAFF, inaugurated the new Conference League in Bucharest. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

As a designer himself, Alessandri has worked with Norman Foster, among others, and the Technogym Village inaugurated in 2012 was designed by ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Ye Jianyuan The Suzhou MoCA was inaugurated nearly four years after construction commenced in December 2022. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin inauguratus, past participle of inaugurare, literally, to practice augury, from in- + augurare to augur; from the rites connected with augury

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inaugurate

verb

in·​au·​gu·​rate in-ˈȯ-g(y)ə-ˌrāt 

inaugurated; inaugurating

1

: to introduce into office with suitable ceremonies : install

inaugurate a president

2

: to celebrate the opening of

inaugurate a new gym

3

: to bring into being or action

inaugurate a new plan

inaugurator

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun