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

• earliest
• first
• foremost
• headmost
• initial
• leadoff
• maiden
• original
• pioneer
• premier
• virgin

Noun

• baptism
• inauguration
• induction
• initiation
• installation
• installment
• instalment
• investiture
• investment

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

Zac Brown will also be honored with the inaugural Veterans Voice Award. —Rachel Desantis, People.com, 23 May 2025

The only transcript that is now available on the White House website is Trump’s inaugural address. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 23 May 2025

Noun

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

Often times, the swearing-in of the President for a second term generates a lower audience than the initial inaugural. —Brad Adgate, Forbes, 21 Jan. 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