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 Meanwhile, major retail groups and the California District Attorney Association, along with Democratic mayors of San Francisco and San Jose, have thrown their support behind a ballot initiative to stiffen penalties for repeat thieves, among other things. Trân Nguyễn, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024 The movie, directed by Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe and premiering Saturday, is the first film in Hallmark's Make Her Mark Women's Directing Program, a mentorship initiative intended to create opportunities for more women behind the camera. Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 The West Waukesha Bypass, the major initiative that extended Les Paul Parkway to create a looping highway route to more allow more free-flowing traffic, is a major component in the district. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 Like all first ladies, Melania launched an initiative to supposedly improve the lives of a certain segment of the American public. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024 President Joe Biden has recently pushed several initiatives to lower housing costs and increase supply, including at a campaign stop in Nevada on Tuesday. Tami Luhby, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 Under his leadership, the bureau doubled its membership and formed a political action committee to work on behalf of the bureau that raised funds to successfully defeat a county initiative that would have limited the growth of wineries. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The initiative also spurred groups on both sides of the debate, including the anti-initiative National Restaurant Association, to open their pockets. Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2022 The initiative also spurred groups on both sides of the debate, including the anti-initiative National Restaurant Association, to open their pockets. Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2022 Cuomo correctly assessed that as the nation reckoned with active anti-initiative from the federal government, competence itself could become its own kind of sell. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2021 Paizo undertook relatively significant changes to the skill system, how initiative order is determined, and the iconic critical success and critical failure criteria. Sam Ferguson, Ars Technica, 30 July 2019 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, 23 May 2018

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 28 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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