initiate

1 of 3

verb

ini·​ti·​ate i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt 

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

initiator

i-ˈni-shē-ˌā-tər 

noun

initiate

2 of 3

noun

ini·​tiate i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət 

1

: a person who is undergoing or has undergone an initiation

2

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

initiate

3 of 3

adjective

ini·​tiate i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət 

1

a

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

b

: instructed in some secret knowledge

2

obsolete : relating to an initiate

Synonyms

Verb

• establish
• launch
• introduce
• create
• pioneer
• found

Choose the Right Synonym for initiate

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

The water initiates a chemical reaction that lasts about six hours. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, shocked political observers Tuesday by leading New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo by 7 points before New York even began initiating the ranked choice calculations, drawing a concession from Cuomo and declaring victory himself. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 26 June 2025

Noun

The goal is to comply with the climate initiates of the Paris Agreement, an international treaty signed in 2015 to prevent climate change. —Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Working frequently with two other recent initiates, Armon Palmer, who went by Pisce, and Ishmael Goodwine, a.k.a. —David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025

Adjective

In the indie film, Darke and Radcliffe shared some initiate moments, but their chemistry continued off-screen. —Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 26 Mar. 2023

Keep your knees straight and initiate from the ankle. —Perri O. Blumberg, Men's Health, 3 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Late Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare, from Latin, to induct, from initium

First Known Use

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing initiate

• file/initiate a lawsuit

Rhymes for initiate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

initiate

1 of 2 verb

ini·​ti·​ate in-ˈish-ē-ˌāt 

initiated; initiating

1

: to set going : begin

initiate a new policy

2

: to instruct in the basics of something : introduce

initiate tourists into the local customs

3

: to admit into membership by special ceremonies

initiator

-ˌāt-ər 

noun

initiatory

-ˈish-(ē-)ə-ˌtōr-ē

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

initiate

2 of 2 noun

ini·​tiate in-ˈish-(ē-)ət 

1

: a person who is undergoing or has passed an initiation

2

: an expert in a special field

Etymology

Verb

from Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare "to begin" — related to commence