inaugurate

verb

in·​au·​gu·​rate i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt 

-gə-ˌrāt

inaugurated; inaugurating

transitive verb

1

: to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies

2

a

: to dedicate ceremoniously : observe formally the beginning of

inaugurate a new school

b

: to bring about the beginning of

an event that inaugurated a new era in history

inaugurator

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrā-tər 

-gə-ˌrā-

noun

Synonyms of inaugurate

• establish
• initiate
• launch
• introduce
• pioneer
• create
• found
• institute

Choose the Right Synonym for inaugurate

begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate, usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation.

begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable.

begin, opposed to end, is the most general.

begin a trip

began dancing

start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing

commenced a conversation

initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Examples of inaugurate in a Sentence

They inaugurated the new headquarters with a brief ceremony.

inaugurated the college's athletic program for women

Recent Examples on the Web

After Pan Am inaugurated service to Asia, Humphrey Bogart played Capt. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

For example, in 2021, Iran inaugurated the Jask oil terminal, allowing crude oil to be transported to Jask on the Gulf of Oman just east of the strait, but the terminal is not considered a viable export option for Iranian crude, the IEA said. —Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Virunga National Park is the oldest nature reserve in Africa, inaugurated in 1925, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. —CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

That year, voters will elect the next president who will be inaugurated in January 2029. —Paris Barraza, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin inauguratus, past participle of inaugurare, literally, to practice augury, from in- + augurare to augur; from the rites connected with augury

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inaugurate

verb

in·​au·​gu·​rate in-ˈȯ-g(y)ə-ˌrāt 

inaugurated; inaugurating

1

: to introduce into office with suitable ceremonies : install

inaugurate a president

2

: to celebrate the opening of

inaugurate a new gym

3

: to bring into being or action

inaugurate a new plan

inaugurator

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun