initiation

noun

ini·ti·a·tion | \ i-ˌni-shē-ˈā-shən

Definition of initiation

1a : the act or an instance of initiating

b : the process of being initiated

c : the rites, ceremonies, ordeals, or instructions with which one is made a member of a sect or society or is invested with a particular function or status

2 : the condition of being initiated into some experience or sphere of activity : knowledgeableness

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Examples of initiation in a Sentence

his initiation as a member of the club crimes committed as part of gang initiations the initiation of judicial proceedings

Recent Examples on the Web

Later, Tall Boy walks Jughead through his Serpent initiation, but their friendly relationship pretty much ends there. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "OK, But Who The Heck is Tall Boy on "Riverdale"?," 24 Jan. 2019 The transformation marks Hathaway’s initiation into a club of famous Hollywood redheads who have embraced the fiery, eye-catching hue to spectacular effect. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Anne Hathaway Says Hello to Shocking Red Hair—and Goodbye to Girl-Next-Door Brunette," 21 Nov. 2018 Apple says its faulty logic boards may have been causing random restarts, screen freezes, and defective startup initiations that prevent the iPhone 8 from turning on properly. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Apple launches repair program for defective iPhone 8 logic boards," 31 Aug. 2018 Most, but not all, have occurred during fraternity initiation events. — Kyle Spencer, New York Times, "Colleges and State Laws Are Clamping Down on Fraternities," 5 June 2018 Meantime, at the Quirinale, Italy’s presidential palace, Conte and 18 cabinet members were lining up for a ceremony that resembled any other government initiation in Rome. — Chico Harlan, Washington Post, "As Italy’s populists take power, Europe is on edge," 1 June 2018 Between the Archie's prison fight club, Jughead's potentially poison-laced Gryfons & Gargoyles initiation, and all of the Farm madness (which may or may not be connected to G+G??), things were pretty bleak in Riverdale on Wednesday. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Including Jughead's dark suit, which may be hiding a sinister message.," 26 Oct. 2018 In the home mortgage servicing sector, unfair practices were found in loan modifications and foreclosure initiations, the CFPB said. — Yuka Hayashi, WSJ, "CFPB Issues First Supervision Report Under Mulvaney," 6 Sep. 2018 Alterboyz practices slow, patient improv while Wet Bus speeds through its set with quick wit, rapid physicality shifts, and bold scene initiations. — Steve Heisler, Chicago Reader, "The two improv teams in Oh Hell Yeah demonstrate that timing is everything," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'initiation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.