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

Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, inaugurated the country's Panzerbrigade 45, or Armored Brigade 45, in Lithuania back in May, marking the first time in decades Berlin has permanently deployed troops abroad since World War II. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Murals and statues in his honor continue to be inaugurated. —Esteban Campanela, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025

Located in the Guangdong province, the Foshan facility was inaugurated in 2005 and employs some 500 people to produce Lycra fiber (for apparel) and Lycra’s HyFit fiber (for personal care products). —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Nov. 2025

The number of these winds that the Sumerians decided to name, and which unintentionally inaugurated a system of nomenclature that would be adopted by most of the rest of the world, was four. —Big Think, 18 Nov. 2025

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