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

Sometimes, the horses don regalia for ceremonies like inaugurations, state funerals and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. —Eve Chen, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026

In addition to Trump’s inauguration pastor, conservative stakeholders have encouraged companies to invest in bitcoin. —Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026

Kate Middleton chose a scene-stealing statement hat for the inauguration of the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the history of the Anglican Church. —Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026

But by the time of his second inauguration, the Covid debate had moved far from the pandemic terror that marked 2020. —David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 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