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

Pendleton, a majorette, had performed at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration days before she was killed. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026

Plus, the scene at Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration. —Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026

Following the inauguration, the Quran will go on public display at the New York Public Library. —Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026

Stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson worked with Duwaji on the look, as well as her lower-key inauguration look during Mamdani's private inauguration in a former subway station below City Hall after midnight on New Year's Day. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 2 Jan. 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