inaugural

1 of 2

adjective

in·​au·​gu·​ral i-ˈnȯ-gyə-rəl How to pronounce inaugural (audio)
-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

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
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

First Known Use

Adjective

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inaugural was in 1689

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.

Kids Definition

inaugural

1 of 2 adjective
in·​au·​gu·​ral in-ˈȯ-gyə-rəl How to pronounce inaugural (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on inaugural

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