initiation

noun ini·ti·a·tion \ i-ˌni-shē-ˈā-shən \

|Updated on: 26 Jul 2018

Examples: initiation in a Sentence

Definition of initiation

1 a : 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

See initiation defined for English-language learners

See initiation defined for kids

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 of initiation from the Web

Monthly memberships start at $69 for individuals with a $49 initiation fee, which is waived for the military, students and teachers.

— rye druzin, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio joins other Texas cities with its own standalone bouldering gym," 11 July 2018
LAST year stories appeared in the press, illustrated by pictures of bloody clothing, of an initiation ceremony at Alliance High School outside Nairobi, in which boys were beaten and made to lie on the founders’ graves.

— The Economist, "Elite private schools are booming in Kenya," 21 June 2018
Mass initiation ceremonies were common in Klan strongholds, including the Bay Area.

— charles reichmann, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘The Second Coming of the KKK,’ by Linda Gordon," 30 Mar. 2018
Trump’s International Golf Club reportedly has a $250,000 initiation fee, plus $30,000 in annual fees.

— renae reints, Fortune, "Members of Trump's Exclusive Clubs May Have Toured Air Force One," 9 July 2018
Ironically the official initiation of partisan speech-making to the Southern Baptists came from a man many consider above politicking – Billy Graham.

— michelle boorstein, Washington Post, "Why Southern Baptists giving Mike Pence a platform is so controversial," 13 June 2018
The end product is pretty good and really makes the preview feel different, seeing Ford's face on the newest initiation of the iconic sci-fi character.

— ryan parker, The Hollywood Reporter, "Harrison Ford Digitally Inserted Into Fan-Made 'Solo' Trailer," 15 May 2018
The Winnetka Music Festival on Friday and Saturday marked an initiation into summer, with soaring temperatures into the 90s and an estimated 16,000 in attendance for the two-day boutique festival in the downtown Elm Street District.

— gina grillo, chicagotribune.com, "Winnetka Music Festival draws thousands for 'mini Lollapalooza' experience," 19 June 2018
Its new pay-as-you-go service will give app users access to JetSmarter flight services without the higher cost of club membership: currently a $3,000 initiation fee and $4,950 annual fee.

— marcia heroux pounds, Sun-Sentinel.com, "JetSmarter expands private jet services to public," 13 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.

First Known Use of initiation

1583

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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initiation Synonyms

Synonyms

baptism, inaugural, inauguration, induction, installation, installment (also instalment), investiture, investment;

Near Antonyms

discharge, removal;

promotion;

INITIATION Defined for English Language Learners

initiation

noun

Definition of initiation for English Language Learners

: the process of being formally accepted as a member of a group or organization : the process of being initiated
: a ceremony or series of actions that makes a person a member of a group or organization
: the act of starting something : the beginning of something