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Definition of initiate
initiated
;initiating
transitive verb
1 : to cause or facilitate the beginning of : set going initiate a program of reform enzymes that initiate fermentation
2 : to induct into membership by or as if by special rites
3 : to instruct in the rudiments or principles of something : introduce
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Examples of initiate in a Sentence
Doctors have initiated a series of tests to determine the cause of the problem.
The company initiated judicial proceedings against them.
The new recruits will be initiated tomorrow night.
He was initiated into a secret society.
Recent Examples of initiate from the Web
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Mr Gove has initiated Britain’s withdrawal from the London Fisheries Convention.
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And was Medicaid partly responsible for initiating the problem to begin with?
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If the client initiates sex, the therapist must clarify the purpose of the therapeutic session, then stop or refuse the session if the client continues the attempt.
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India initiated its request to buy 22 Guardian MQ-9B unmanned aircraft for maritime surveillance last year.
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The Horizon show was borne of an artistic response to the thawing of relations between the two countries initiated by the Obama administration in 2014.
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And the TCA has never separated categories by gender, with the MTV Movies and TV Awards initiating the same policy this past year.
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The announcement follows the initial approval by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Tuesday afternoon of the racetrack's proposal to initiate exotic wagering on historical racing.
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The Trump administration presented the arms deal as a highlight of his first trip abroad as president last month and as an example of his deal-making skills, though parts of the agreement were initiated during the Obama administration.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'initiate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of initiate
Late Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare, from Latin, to induct, from initium
Synonym Discussion of initiate
First Known Use of initiate
1537
Definition of initiate
1 : a person who is undergoing or has undergone an initiation
2 : a person who is instructed or adept in some special field
Examples of initiate in a Sentence
These secrets are known only to a small group of initiates.
Recent Examples of initiate from the Web
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Abakuá is a secret society restricted to male initiates, with a foundational story based on an act of female betrayal.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'initiate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of initiate
1811
INITIATE Defined for English Language Learners
initiate
playDefinition of initiate for English Language Learners
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: to cause the beginning of (something) : to start or begin (something)
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: to formally accept (someone) as a member of a group or organization usually in a special ceremony
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: to teach (someone) the basic facts or ideas about something
initiate
playDefinition of initiate for English Language Learners
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: a person who is being formally accepted or who has been formally accepted as a member of a group or organization
INITIATE Defined for Kids
initiate
playDefinition of initiate for Students
initiated
;initiating
1 : to set going : begin Scientists initiated an experiment.
2 : to admit into a club by special ceremonies
3 : to teach (someone) the basic facts about something She was initiated into the management of money.
Learn More about initiate
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See words that rhyme with initiate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for initiate Spanish Central: Translation of initiate Nglish: Translation of initiate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of initiate for Arabic speakers
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