Initiating

ɪˈnɪʃieɪtɪŋ

verbmedium🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To cause a process or action to begin; to introduce someone or something into a group or activity.

ɪˈnɪʃieɪt

verbneutralmedium
General

To begin or start something.

The government is initiating new policies to combat climate change.

💡 Simply: Initiating is like pushing the 'start' button. It's about getting something going. For example, if you want to make a club, you'd be initiating it by gathering members and setting up the first meeting.

👶 For kids: To start something. Like when you start playing a game!

More Examples

2

The scientist initiated a series of experiments to test his hypothesis.

3

The club is initiating new members this week.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is initiating a new marketing campaign."

Education

"The professor initiated a discussion on the topic."

Technology

"The software is designed to initiate the download automatically."

2

To admit (someone) into membership or into a particular activity or role, often with a formal ceremony.

ɪˈnɪʃieɪt

verbneutralmedium
General

To admit someone into a group or organization, often with a special ceremony.

The fraternity is initiating new pledges next week.

💡 Simply: Initiating here is like welcoming someone into a special group, kind of like a club. It's usually done with some kind of ceremony or special event to officially make them a member. Like joining a secret club or a team.

👶 For kids: To make someone a new member of something. Like when your friend joins your club!

More Examples

2

The tribe initiated the young man into manhood.

3

The company initiated him as a partner after his years of dedicated work.

How It's Used

Social

"Fraternities often initiate new members."

Religious

"The priest initiated the young boy into the church."

Tip:Think of a secret society – they have initiation ceremonies. It's about making someone part of something.

Idioms & expressions

Initiate proceedings

To begin legal or formal actions.

"The lawyer threatened to initiate legal proceedings if the company didn't comply with his demands."

From Latin *initiare* ('to begin'), from *initium* ('beginning'). It entered English in the late 16th century.

The word 'initiate' has been used since the 17th century to describe the beginning of an action or process.

Memory tip

Think of it like 'to begin' or 'to start.' Imagine you are initiating a game of tag – that's starting it.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"beginning"

initiate actioninitiate a processinitiate a discussioninitiate proceedingsinitiate an investigation

Common misspellings

initiateinginitiattinginiciating

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written