initiative

adjective

ini·tia·tive | \ i-ˈni-shə-tiv also -shē-ə-tiv

Definition of initiative

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of or relating to initiation : introductory, preliminary

initiative

noun

ini·tia·tive | \ i-ˈni-shə-tiv also -shē-ə-tiv

Definition of initiative (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an introductory step took the initiative in attempting to settle the issue

2 : energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action : enterprise showed great initiative

3a : the right to initiate legislative action

b : a procedure enabling a specified number of voters by petition to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to the legislature for approval — compare referendum sense 1

on one's own initiative

: at one's own discretion : independently of outside influence or control

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about initiative

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of initiative in a Sentence

Adjective

Luther's daring initiative thoughts did indeed come from above, but he owed them to no man or age. — Junius B. Remensnyder, What the World Owes Luther, 1917 Many writers maintain that there is a rule of International Law forbidding the commencement of war without a declaration of war. But such rule, in fact, does not exist, for a great many wars take place without an initiative declaration of war. — Lassa Oppenheim, International Law, 1906

Noun

… on the day before their Club Med flight she took the initiative of telephoning Franco from work, ostensibly to tell him that she had really admired his new place … — John Barth, Atlantic, March 1995 Following initiatives begun before the First World War, thirty-four states instituted or expanded workers' compensation laws in the 1920s. — Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988 Since the social victim has been oppressed by society, he comes to feel that his individual life will be improved more by changes in society than by his own initiative. — Shelby Steele, Harper's, June 1988 If you want to meet her, you're going to have to take the initiative and introduce yourself. The company has the opportunity to seize the initiative by getting its new products to the market before its competitors. The governor has proposed a new initiative to improve conditions in urban schools.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Beverly Raphael Altman and Robyn Raphael-Dynan, who lead RCC Associates, co-chaired this year’s initiative. — Krislyn Placide, sun-sentinel.com, "Three generations flex their muscles for Habitat for Humanity for 2019 Women Build," 13 June 2019 But several key Newsom initiatives were rejected or still await action in budget follow-up bills that the Legislature will consider in coming weeks. — Alexei Koseff, SFChronicle.com, "Where Gov. Gavin Newsom wins and loses in newly passed California budget," 13 June 2019 Detroit's expansive surveillance initiatives started in 2016, when the city implemented Project Green Light. — Emma Keith, Detroit Free Press, "Controversial Detroit facial recognition program prompts public meeting," 13 June 2019 Previous mayors have used their State of the City addresses to announce policy initiatives or celebrate their achievements. — Jessica Boehm, azcentral, "Watch LIVE: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego's first State of the City address," 13 June 2019 Gucci has since gone even further, with scholarships, education and other initiatives. — Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, "The Resurrection of Dolce & Gabbana," 12 June 2019 Final approval for FSU’s initiative is expected by the fall. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "How Transforming Into a DSO Could Impact Florida State's Athletic Department," 11 June 2019 At a time when many cities are exploring non-car ways to build out their public transit, Lyft could nip shared bike initiatives in the bud. — Alison Griswold, Quartz, "Lyft doesn’t seem to care that much about ending car ownership," 10 June 2019 Some initiatives are training doctors in different ways of seeing. — Rachel Pearson, The New Yorker, "The Durable Feeling That a Child Is Always at Risk," 10 June 2019

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about initiative

Dictionary Entries near initiative

Statistics for initiative

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for initiative

The first known use of initiative was in 1605

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for initiative

initiative

noun

English Language Learners Definition of initiative

: the power or opportunity to do something before others do

: the energy and desire that is needed to do something

: a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem

See the full definition for initiative in the English Language Learners Dictionary

initiative

noun

ini·tia·tive | \ i-ˈni-shə-tiv

Kids Definition of initiative

1 : a first step or movement I took the initiative and called first.

2 : energy shown in getting action started He's a person of great initiative.

initiative

noun

ini·tia·tive | \ i-ˈni-shə-tiv, -shē-ə-tiv

Legal Definition of initiative

1 : the especially introductory series of steps taken to cause a desired result the deposing party would ordinarily be required to take the initiative in arranging a deposition — Andrews v. Bradshaw, 895 P.2d 973 (1995)

2a : the right to initiate legislative action

b : a procedure enabling a specified number of voters by petition to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to the legislature for approval — see also referendum

on one's own initiative

: at one's own discretion : independently of outside influence, suggestion, or control the court may reduce a sentence on its own initiative — Ghrist v. People, 897 P.2d 809 (1995)