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

Two charities set up to pay for Newsom’s inaugurations in 2019 and 2023 moved more than $5 million to the protocol foundation since 2019. —Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026

Cowley is the mother of Hadiya Pendleton, who was tragically shot to death at age 15 in 2013 shortly after performing at Barack Obama’s second inauguration. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

His approval ratings by issue show that inflation and affordability have seen the most significant drop since the inauguration, followed by jobs and the economy. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026

There are also the meme coins $TRUMP and $MELANIA, the first of which made the president a crypto billionaire just before his inauguration and has since lost about 95 percent of its value. —Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

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