initiative

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

Definition of initiative

:of or relating to initiation :introductory, preliminary

Examples of initiative in a Sentence

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

Origin and Etymology of initiative

see ¹initiate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1795

See Words from the same year

initiative

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

Definition of initiative

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

3 a :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 1

— on one's own initiative

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

See initiative defined for English-language learners

See initiative defined for kids

Examples of initiative in a Sentence

… 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 of initiative from the Web

One Belt, One Road’ infrastructure initiative that may fuel as much as $500 billion of international investment.

— rebecca spalding, Bloomberg.com, "Bankrupt Caribbean Paradise Woos Chinese Tourists—and Their Cash," 30 Aug. 2017
The Trump administration is abandoning another Obama-era regulatory initiative, killing a plan to allow cities to set aside work for local residents on federally funded public works projects.

— tiffany hsu, New York Times, "Administration Scraps Local-Hiring Plan for Public Works," 24 Aug. 2017
UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla will match funds raised in the revitalization initiative up to $1 million, doubling the impact of donations.

— gary warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Author Ann Patchett to appear at dinner for UCSD library," 24 Aug. 2017
Beshear’s office is partially funding the initiative with settlement funds from drug companies.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Drug 'pouches' to help people get rid of unused prescriptions at home, Beshear says," 22 Aug. 2017
Simmons is one of the dozens of players in the Gary 4 Life basketball league, an anti-violence initiative established in 2014 aimed at curbing the city's high crime rates.

— javonte anderson, Post-Tribune, "Gary 4 Life basketball league courts anti-violence efforts," 22 Aug. 2017
This important initiative will work to provide immediate assistance and stabilization to residents, dialogues on reconciliation, and programs for restoration and healing.

— mike signer, The Atlantic, "'These Monuments Were Transformed From Equestrian Statues Into Lightning Rods'," 18 Aug. 2017
These were vast initiatives to bring culture to the masses and monuments symbolizing progressive modernity to the luxurious but staid Parisian landscape.

— james mcauley, Town & Country, "Is Pierre Bergé the Most Powerful Man In France?," 16 Aug. 2017
Glennon's leadership initiatives amount to an important foundation for his opportunity this year as the starter.

— rich campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Bears training camp superlatives: Happiest camper, oddest twist and more," 15 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of initiative

see ¹initiate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1793

See Words from the same year

initiative Synonyms

Synonyms

action, aggressiveness, ambition, drive, go, hustle, enterprise

Related Words

grit, gumption, pluck, snap, spirit, spunk, starch; ambitiousness, killer instinct, overambitiousness; assertiveness, self-reliance; energy, hardihood, pep, vigor, vitality

Near Antonyms

inactivity, inertia, passivity; diffidence, faintheartedness, timidity; hesitation, reluctance; indolence, laziness, lethargy

INITIATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

initiative

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noun

Definition of initiative for English Language Learners

the 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

INITIATIVE Defined for Kids

initiative

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noun ini·tia·tive \ i-ˈni-shə-tiv \

Definition of initiative for Students

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.

Law Dictionary

initiative

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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)

2 a :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 oneʼs own initiative

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