initiate

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verb ini·ti·ate \i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt\

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

initiator

play \i-ˈni-shē-ˌā-tər\ noun

See initiate defined for English-language learners

See initiate defined for kids

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

The child’s visa process, initiated last August and costing Ali more than $900 to date, has now been suspended indefinitely.

— kristal brent zook, Essence.com, "How Donald Trump's Travel Ban Attempts Have Deeply Wounded Black Families And Individuals," 18 July 2017
The two armies often accuse each other of initiating firing across the cease-fire line.

— Washington Post, "World Digest: July 17, 2017," 17 July 2017
More important, cops don’t usually initiate their contact with the person who is shot.

— nick selby, National Review, "Police Aren’t Targeting and Killing Black Men," 17 July 2017
Mr Gove has initiated Britain’s withdrawal from the London Fisheries Convention.

— The Economist, "A spat about seafood shows the compromises that Brexit will force," 5 July 2017
And was Medicaid partly responsible for initiating the problem to begin with?

— sam adolphsen, National Review, "Has Medicaid Made the Opioid Epidemic Worse?," 5 July 2017
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.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Idaho massage pros get into trouble when boundaries aren’t clear," 1 July 2017
As well as advising shorts on U.S. equities, his team initiated a bet that will pay off if the Russell 1000 Growth Index declines and the the Russell 1000 Value Index climbs.

— adam haigh, Bloomberg.com, "Go Short on American Stocks Says This $500 Billion Fund Firm," 27 June 2017
India initiated its request to buy 22 Guardian MQ-9B unmanned aircraft for maritime surveillance last year.

— matthew pennington, The Seattle Times, "Trump approves $2B sale of drones to India ahead of meeting," 23 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1533

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

initiate

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adjective ini·tiate \i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət\

Definition of initiate

1a : initiated or properly admitted (as to membership or an office)b : instructed in some secret knowledge
2 obsolete : relating to an initiate

First Known Use of initiate

1537

initiate

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noun ini·tiate \i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət\

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

See initiate defined for English-language learners

Examples of initiate in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of initiate from the Web

Abakuá is a secret society restricted to male initiates, with a foundational story based on an act of female betrayal.

— holland cotter, New York Times, "From Cuba, a Stolen Myth," 22 June 2017

First Known Use of initiate

1811

INITIATE Defined for English Language Learners

initiate

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verb

Definition of initiate for English Language Learners

: to cause the beginning of (something) : to start or begin (something)
: to formally accept (someone) as a member of a group or organization usually in a special ceremony
: to teach (someone) the basic facts or ideas about something

initiate

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noun

Definition of initiate for English Language Learners

: 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

play

verb ini·ti·ate \i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt\

Definition 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.