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
1
: an inaugural address
2
Synonyms
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
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2023
Last year's inaugural Albies, named after trailblazing South African justice Albie Sachs, was attended by A-list supporters including Dua Lipa, John Oliver, Julia Roberts and Bruce Springsteen.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 29 Sep. 2023
Miller also helped write Trump’s inaugural speech as well as his remarks at the rally that preceded the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2023
The Ryder Cup is named after the English businessman Samuel Ryder who donated the inaugural trophy.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 29 Sep. 2023
Lainey Wilson was the first winner at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2023
In the inaugural episode, the couple is considering hiring a lawyer after Craig Kettleman uses his position as the county treasurer to embezzle $1.6 million in taxpayer money.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
Compared to the inaugural Hangar, the new space elevates the private club experience by adding a host of amenities that include golf and driving simulators, 150-inch TVs, a home theater and billiard room, and boardrooms.
—Nicolas Stecher, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2023
Two seasons with Birmingham, Alabama as its foundation—for all eight teams in its inaugural 2021-22 season, then four teams in 2022-23.
—Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al, 19 Sep. 2023
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023
His first inaugural is always a favorite.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Nov. 2020
On Friday, January 6, under a sky swept blue by days of wind and rain, California governor Gavin Newsom marched with family and supporters to his second inaugural.
—Will Swaim, National Review, 15 Jan. 2023
Some of the million-dollar donors to the Biden inaugural also gave to Lamont, albeit on a much smaller scale: Bank of America, $5,000; AT&T, $10,000; Comcast, $15,000; and Lockheed Martin, $25,000.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2023
Contributions to an inaugural are deemed a gift to the state, not an individual.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 20 Dec. 2022
Yet a gallon of gas still averages $3.85, up from a year ago when Biden called $3.35 a gallon a strain on families and from roughly $2.40 a gallon during his 2021 inaugural.
—Josh Boak and Zeke Miller, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Oct. 2022
For his 2009 inaugural, President Barack Obama hosted a concert on the steps of the memorial and was photographed in the chamber.
—Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022
Sonny Lindner won the inaugural with a nine-dog team.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 21 May 2022
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Adjective
In addition to performing, Ballerini was nominated for several awards at the inaugural event, including people’s artist, female artist, social country star and album of 2023.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2023
Last year's inaugural Albies, named after trailblazing South African justice Albie Sachs, was attended by A-list supporters including Dua Lipa, John Oliver, Julia Roberts and Bruce Springsteen.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 29 Sep. 2023
Miller also helped write Trump’s inaugural speech as well as his remarks at the rally that preceded the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2023
The Ryder Cup is named after the English businessman Samuel Ryder who donated the inaugural trophy.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 29 Sep. 2023
Lainey Wilson was the first winner at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2023
In the inaugural episode, the couple is considering hiring a lawyer after Craig Kettleman uses his position as the county treasurer to embezzle $1.6 million in taxpayer money.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
Compared to the inaugural Hangar, the new space elevates the private club experience by adding a host of amenities that include golf and driving simulators, 150-inch TVs, a home theater and billiard room, and boardrooms.
—Nicolas Stecher, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2023
Two seasons with Birmingham, Alabama as its foundation—for all eight teams in its inaugural 2021-22 season, then four teams in 2022-23.
—Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al, 19 Sep. 2023
Noun
In the coming campaign, prominent Democrats will inevitably tout the strength of Biden’s first-term White House as a selling point to voters who are dubious of reelecting a president who will be 82 at his second inaugural.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023
His first inaugural is always a favorite.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Nov. 2020
On Friday, January 6, under a sky swept blue by days of wind and rain, California governor Gavin Newsom marched with family and supporters to his second inaugural.
—Will Swaim, National Review, 15 Jan. 2023
Some of the million-dollar donors to the Biden inaugural also gave to Lamont, albeit on a much smaller scale: Bank of America, $5,000; AT&T, $10,000; Comcast, $15,000; and Lockheed Martin, $25,000.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2023
Contributions to an inaugural are deemed a gift to the state, not an individual.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 20 Dec. 2022
Yet a gallon of gas still averages $3.85, up from a year ago when Biden called $3.35 a gallon a strain on families and from roughly $2.40 a gallon during his 2021 inaugural.
—Josh Boak and Zeke Miller, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Oct. 2022
For his 2009 inaugural, President Barack Obama hosted a concert on the steps of the memorial and was photographed in the chamber.
—Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022
Sonny Lindner won the inaugural with a nine-dog team.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 21 May 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inaugural.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing inaugural
Dictionary Entries Near inaugural
Cite this Entry
“Inaugural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inaugural. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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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 noun1
: an inaugural address
2
More from Merriam-Webster on inaugural
Nglish: Translation of inaugural for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of inaugural for Arabic Speakers
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