ini·ti·ate
i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt 
initiated; initiating
1
: to cause or facilitate the beginning of : set going
initiate a program of reform
enzymes that initiate fermentation
2
: to induct into membership by or as if by special rites
3
: to instruct in the rudiments or principles of something : introduce
ini·tiate
i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət
1
: a person who is undergoing or has undergone an initiation
2
: a person who is instructed or adept in some special field
ini·tiate
i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət
1
a
: initiated or properly admitted (as to membership or an office)
b
: instructed in some secret knowledge
2
obsolete
: relating to an initiate
Synonyms
Examples of initiate in a Sentence
Verb
Doctors have initiated a series of tests to determine the cause of the problem.
The company initiated judicial proceedings against them.
The new recruits will be initiated tomorrow night.
He was initiated into a secret society.
Noun
These secrets are known only to a small group of initiates.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason Green, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
JPMorgan initiates Upstream Bio as overweight JPMorgan says the biotech company is well positioned.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Greg McKenna, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
These initiates concluded just as the federal student loan system is experiencing unprecedented upheaval due to legal challenges seeking to block President Biden’s student loan forgiveness initiatives.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 26 Mar. 2023
Keep your knees straight and initiate from the ankle.
—Perri O. Blumberg, Men's Health, 3 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for initiate 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
While patrolling the area, officers found the SUV and initiated a pursuit.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
JPMorgan initiates Upstream Bio as overweight JPMorgan says the biotech company is well positioned.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
That’s not necessarily true of most firms, but companies ranging from GE to Target have been picked on by activist shareholders for environmental and social initiates or for taking progressive stances.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
These initiates concluded just as the federal student loan system is experiencing unprecedented upheaval due to legal challenges seeking to block President Biden’s student loan forgiveness initiatives.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
In the indie film, Darke and Radcliffe shared some initiate moments, but their chemistry continued off-screen.
—Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 26 Mar. 2023
Keep your knees straight and initiate from the ankle.
—Perri O. Blumberg, Men's Health, 3 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for initiate
Dictionary Entries Near initiate
Cite this Entry
“Initiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
initiate
1 of 2 verb
ini·ti·ate
in-ˈish-ē-ˌāt
initiated; initiating
1
: to set going : begin
initiate a new policy
2
: to instruct in the basics of something : introduce
initiate tourists into the local customs
3
: to admit into membership by special ceremonies
initiatory
adjective
-ˈish-(ē-)ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
initiate
2 of 2 noun
ini·tiate
in-ˈish-(ē-)ət
1
: a person who is undergoing or has passed an initiation
2
: an expert in a special field
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share