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
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
Riley Moser, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
This is Arrate Fernandez’s inaugural year as artistic director, but she has long been connected to the institution, serving for more than two decades as executive director of the IDFA Bertha Fund and leading IDFA’s filmmaker support department.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Nov. 2025
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 25 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for inaugural
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Adjective
Other shows scheduled for the venue's inaugural season include Jack Johnson, 5 Seconds of Summer, Train, and Iron Maiden.
—Riley Moser, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
This is Arrate Fernandez’s inaugural year as artistic director, but she has long been connected to the institution, serving for more than two decades as executive director of the IDFA Bertha Fund and leading IDFA’s filmmaker support department.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Nov. 2025
Noun
From Clinton’s tenure as first lady of the state of Arkansas through her White House years, Kamran periodically dressed her for key events, including for Bill Clinton’s second gubernatorial inaugural.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 25 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for inaugural
Cite this Entry
“Inaugural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inaugural. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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