initialize

verb

ini·​tial·​ize i-ˈni-shə-ˌlīz How to pronounce initialize (audio)
initialized; initializing

transitive verb

: to set (something, such as a computer program counter) to a starting position, value, or configuration
initialization noun

Examples of initialize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Auto-Initialize Stack Variables prevents leaks of sensitive data by initializing stack variables to zero. Davey Winder, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 So why didn't the Infiniti initialize a similar call? Jim Resnick, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2024 By selecting instances where later measurements showed no indication of errors, the fidelity of the initialization reached over 99.9 percent, well above the rate of success when individual hardware qubits are initialized (99.3 percent). John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2023 Challenges Any organization that wants to initialize its collaboration efforts with India should consider the benefits and, equally, several challenges. Bankim Chandra, Forbes, 4 May 2023 This occurs when a program uses one method to allocate or initialize a resource, but an incompatible method then accesses that resource, potentially providing unsecured access to the browser’s memory. Gordon Kelly, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 Deep learning avoids this trap by initializing the parameters randomly and then iteratively adjusting sets of them to better fit the data using a method called stochastic gradient descent. Neil C. Thompson, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2021 Once initialized the arm is instructed to extend and take a photo of the canvas below. Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2023 Wait for the process to initialize, wrapping up in about two minutes. Hunter Fenollol, Popular Mechanics, 6 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of initialize was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near initialize

Cite this Entry

“Initialize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initialize. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

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