initiation

noun

ini·​ti·​a·​tion i-ˌni-shē-ˈā-shən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of initiating

b

: the process of being initiated

c

: the rites, ceremonies, ordeals, or instructions with which one is made a member of a sect or society or is invested with a particular function or status

2

: the condition of being initiated into some experience or sphere of activity : knowledgeableness

Synonyms of initiation

• inauguration
• inaugural

Examples of initiation in a Sentence

his initiation as a member of the club

crimes committed as part of gang initiations

the initiation of judicial proceedings

Recent Examples on the Web

Less serious subjects are on the agenda, too, such as the initiation songs that started spontaneously one night in the team’s Rosewood hotel in Hong Kong. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Yet here is Stribling, who appears to have every opportunity to defy the traditional Shanahan initiation ritual by making play after play so far this summer. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

That premium repositioning is already evident at The Els Club, where membership requires a €100,000 initiation fee and new memberships are released in limited quarterly tranches. — Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

The hardware is free for users but comes with a subscription fee starting at $40 per month in addition to a $250 initiation fee. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing initiation

• initiation rite

Rhymes for initiation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

initiation

noun

ini·​ti·​a·​tion in-ˌish-ē-ˈā-shən 

1

: the act of initiating : the process of being initiated : introduction

2

: the ceremonies with which a person is made a member of a club or society