initiation

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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about initiation

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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 Most mothers experience nipple discomfort with breastfeeding initiation. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, "The Postpartum Care Tips OB/Gyns Wish You Knew," 5 Feb. 2020 Upon initiation, the gauge cluster will display messages letting the driver know when the automated lane change has begun, or if lane change is unavailable and changing lanes must be manually completed by the driver. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "Soon your Cadillac will change lanes hands-free with upgraded Super Cruise system," 28 Jan. 2020 Wet weather conditions in the core turkey range in the spring and summer of 2019 may have impacted nest initiation and nest survival, but overall, the outlook is favorable and similar to the past several spring seasons. — Brian Lovett, Outdoor Life, "The 2020 Spring Turkey Hunting State-by-State Forecast," 3 Feb. 2020 For decades, tobacco control policy has focused on measures to encourage cessation and prevent initiation; smoke-free alternatives did not exist at the scale needed for widespread consumer adoption, so regulating them was not top of mind. — André Calantzopoulos, Fortune, "Philip Morris Intl. CEO: Vaping needs sensible regulation—and tobacco companies should be part of the conversation," 16 Jan. 2020 If there was a culture of more shared responsibility for initiation and escalation, would that help ease some anxieties? — Time, "She Spent 2 Years Interviewing Young Men About Sex, Consent and Abuse. Here's Why She's Optimistic After #MeToo," 6 Jan. 2020 The Trump family business doubled the initiation fee to $200,000 after the president was elected in 2016. — Washington Post, "Chinese national arrested for illegally entering Mar-a-Lago," 19 Dec. 2019 According to court records, Vanegas and his accuser accepted invitations to what turned out to be an initiation into a secret society called DTX. — Josh Verges, Twin Cities, "Carleton College football player expelled for sexual assault after secret society initiation sues college," 26 July 2019 The Trump family business doubled the initiation fee to $200,000 after the president was elected in 2016. — Washington Post, "Chinese national arrested for illegally entering Mar-a-Lago," 19 Dec. 2019

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.

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