inaugural

1 of 2

adjective

in·​au·​gu·​ral i-ˈnȯ-gyə-rəl 

-g(ə-)rəl

1

: of or relating to an inauguration

2

: marking a beginning : first in a projected series

inaugural

2 of 2

noun

1

: an inaugural address

2

: inauguration

Synonyms

Adjective

• first
• initial
• original
• maiden
• foremost

Noun

• inauguration

Examples of inaugural in a Sentence

Adjective

They attended the inaugural ball.

the inaugural event in the city's week long festival honoring the sailing ships

Noun

attended the inaugurals of the city's last three mayors

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Martin captioned the post alongside a slideshow of images that captured his getting-ready process ahead of the buzzy award show, where he was named the inaugural Latin Icon before taking the stage to perform a medley of his hits. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

The team is slated to play its inaugural season at Gillette Stadium, which is owned by the Kraft Group. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025

Noun

From Clinton’s tenure as first lady of the state of Arkansas through her White House years, Kamran periodically dressed her for key events, including for Bill Clinton’s second gubernatorial inaugural. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 25 July 2025

If fundraising is Global’s plan with its pair of inaugurals, leaving its A380 parked at JFK for four days between flights is an odd choice. —Edward Russell, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inaugural

• pre-inaugural

Rhymes for inaugural

• doggerel

Kids Definition

inaugural

1 of 2 adjective

in·​au·​gu·​ral in-ˈȯ-gyə-rəl 

-g(ə-)rəl

1

: of or relating to an inauguration

the inaugural address

an inaugural ball

2

: marking a beginning

the inaugural run of a new high-speed train

inaugural

2 of 2 noun

1

: an inaugural address

2

: inauguration