initiate

verb

ini·ti·ate | \ i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt

initiated; initiating

Definition of initiate

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

initiate

adjective

ini·tiate | \ i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət

Definition of initiate (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : initiated or properly admitted (as to membership or an office)

b : instructed in some secret knowledge

2 obsolete : relating to an initiate

initiate

noun

ini·tiate | \ i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət

Definition of initiate (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a person who is undergoing or has undergone an initiation

2 : a person who is instructed or adept in some special field

Other Words from initiate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about initiate

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Choose the Right Synonym for initiate

Verb

begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate, usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation. begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable. begin, opposed to end, is the most general. begin a trip began dancing start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages. the work started slowly commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start. commence firing commenced a conversation initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue. initiated diplomatic contacts inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance. the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate. ushered in a period of economic decline

Examples of initiate in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

These secrets are known only to a small group of initiates.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Toronto is generally credited with initiating the first major effort to document and curb bird deaths caused by flying into buildings. — Christina Tkacik, Howard County Times, "As Howard County glass buildings kill birds, local groups aim to save avian lives," 3 May 2018 In the letter, Citigroup said Mr. Kushner had no role in initiating or negotiating the loan. — New York Times, "Kushner’s Firm Deepens Ties to Those With Business in Washington," 11 July 2018 After initiating $34 billion in tariffs on Friday, the Trump administration is poised to impose an additional $16 billion in two weeks. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Why Trump Might Lose His Trade War With China," 9 July 2018 The world on-screen is looking more and more like the world off-screen, and DeGeneres played a huge part in initiating that change. — Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "Ellen DeGeneres Opened Up To Jerry Seinfeld About The Harsh Reality Of Being Gay On TV," 8 July 2018 As expected, China is likely to respond by initiating tariffs on an equivalent amount of American goods. — Sean Illing, Vox, "Why you should give a shit about Trump’s tariffs, explained by an economic historian," 6 July 2018 Brunnemer, players and parents were never made aware of what initiated the review of the program. — Matthew Vantryon, Indianapolis Star, "Tod Windlan named Greencastle girls basketball coach," 25 June 2018 Since initiating his protest in 2016, Colin Kaepernick has donated $1 million to worthy causes to try to change the world. — Chris Korman, For The Win, "Donald Trump continues to miss the point of NFL protests," 15 June 2018 More than $20,000 was raised in the first week, but this is only a small step toward initiating massive change on a nationwide level. — Amanda Randone, Teen Vogue, "This Ramadan “Believers Bail Out” Wants Muslims to Address Prison Abolition," 11 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Like many initiates, Drotar, a landscaper and father of two who drives a pickup truck, spends a lot of time explaining the organization’s strange name. — Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, "A rural Maryland chapter of the Odd Fellows society fights to save its 1850s building — and memories within," 25 Apr. 2018 Democrats say 3,200 incoming freshmen will be eligible for the initiate in the next fiscal year. — Sandra Gomez-aceves, courant.com, "5 Areas Of Common Ground In Democratic, Republican Budget Proposals," 21 Apr. 2018 Journalist Frank Parlato, who first broke the story about the cult, told the New York Post that Mack came up with the idea of branding initiates' skin, near their groin area. — Fox News, "'Smallville' actress Allison Mack arrested for alleged sex cult involvement, reports say," 20 Apr. 2018 Today, Kappa Alpha Theta has more than 145 chapters in the US and Canada, with nearly 220,000 initiates—including famous sisters such as Tory Burch, Sheryl Crow, Laura Bush, Melinda Gates, Dylan Lauren, and Cindy McCain. — Nadine Jolie Courtney, Town & Country, "Which Sorority Was Actually the First?," 18 May 2017 Bayou Greenway day changes location each year in an effort to involve all of the communities, and to promote the fact that once the initiate is completed, many different parts of the city will be connected. — Rebecca Hazen, Houston Chronicle, "Bayou Greenway Day to highlight Houston Parks Board project," 13 Mar. 2018 And there are questions about the effectiveness of such programs, and in some instances, concern that some initiates — and penalties — have gone too far. — Laura Petrecca, USA TODAY, "Google manifesto spotlights enduring sexism issues," 10 Aug. 2017 Payne in the hills of northeast Alabama, waiting for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take him into custody and likely initiate deportation proceedings. — Connor Sheets, AL.com, "Alabama Dreamer faces deportation after failing to signal, driving with empty beer bottles," 9 July 2017 In one of Divergent's pivotal moments, Tris, trying to prove herself as a Dauntless initiate, jumps off a building to show her fearlessness — a task Shailene Woodley's stunt double, Alicia Vela-Bailey, handled for the film. — Alyssa Bailey, Cosmopolitan, "Watch Shailene Woodley's Stunt Double Jump 66 Feet for "Divergent"," 21 July 2014

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.