inaugural

1 of 2

adjective

in·​au·​gu·​ral i-ˈnȯ-gyə-rəl 

-g(ə-)rəl

1

: of or relating to an inauguration

an inaugural ball

2

: marking a beginning : first in a projected series

an aircraft's inaugural flight

inaugural

2 of 2

noun

1

: an inaugural address

2

: inauguration

Synonyms of inaugural

Adjective

• first
• initial
• original
• maiden
• foremost

Noun

• inauguration

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

The inaugural Tibetan Freedom Concert, organized by the Beastie Boys, concluded its second and final day after drawing about 100,000 fans to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. —USA Today, 2 June 2026

Fox made his first All-Star appearance, earned his first All-NBA honors as a Third Team selection and won the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026

Noun

Van Dijk and her fellow travelers even brought their own swag to give out and said inaugurals feel like a bonding experience for everyone on the flight. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 May 2026

Ike gave his farewell address three days before John F. Kennedy’s famous inaugural. —David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

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