inauguration

noun

in·​au·​gu·​ra·​tion i-ˌnȯ-gyə-ˈrā-shən 

-gə-

: an act of inaugurating

especially : a ceremonial induction into office

Synonyms

• inaugural

Examples of inauguration in a Sentence

the pomp and circumstance of a presidential inauguration

Recent Examples on the Web

The Amazon founder and the former Fox Sports anchor attended Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 July 2025

In 2018, a year after a delegation from the tiny region attended the president’s first inauguration, its leadership threw an exclusive reception for American lawmakers at Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., spending at least $750,000 on accommodations. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

Iran finally released the U.S. hostages, minutes after the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. —Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025

Musk had close ties to Trump then, and a human mission to Mars got a mention in Trump's inauguration speech. —ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1569, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inauguration

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

inauguration

noun

in·​au·​gu·​ra·​tion in-ˌȯ-g(y)ə-ˈrā-shən 

: an act or ceremony of inaugurating