inauguration

noun

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

-gə-

: an act of inaugurating

especially : a ceremonial induction into office

Synonyms of inauguration

• inaugural

Examples of inauguration in a Sentence

the pomp and circumstance of a presidential inauguration

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump granted his first pardons on the day of his inauguration, January 20. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

Upon its inauguration on Tuesday, more than 10,000 books will be accessible to the public; visitors can register to visit via the museum’s WeChat Mini Program or by email. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025

At Pope Leo's inauguration mass in May, four royal women attended in white ensembles. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

The two have been spotted together sparingly, at times attending the same funerals, such as Jimmy Carter’s ceremony earlier this year, and presidential inaugurations, including in 2001 where Bill Clinton and Gore passed the torch to Bush and Cheney. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 20 Nov. 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