Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense, 3rd person singular presenttense initiates, present participle initiating, past tense, past participle initiatedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (ɪnɪʃieɪt). The noun is pronounced (ɪnɪʃiət).
1. verb
If you initiate something, you start it or cause it to happen.
They wanted to initiate a discussion on economics. [VERB noun]
The trip was initiated by the manager of the community centre. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: begin, start, open, launch More Synonyms of initiate
2. verb
If you initiate someone into something, you introduce them to a particular skill or type of knowledge and teach them about it.
He initiated her into the study of other cultures. [VERB noun + into]
[Also VERB noun]
3. verb
If someone is initiatedinto something such as a religion, secret society, or social group, they become a member of it by taking part in ceremonies at which they learn its special knowledge or customs.
In many societies, young people are formally initiated into their adult roles. [beVERB-ed + into]
...the ceremony that initiated members into the Order. [VERB noun + into]
[Also VERB noun]
4. countable noun [oft NOUNof noun]
An initiate is a person who has been accepted as a member by a particular group or club and beentaught its secrets and skills.
Chen was an initiate of a Chinese spiritual discipline.
Synonyms: novice, member, pupil, convert More Synonyms of initiate
More Synonyms of initiate
initiate in British English
verb (ɪˈnɪʃɪˌeɪt)(transitive)
1.
to begin or originate
2.
to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies
3.
to teach fundamentals to
she initiated him into the ballet
adjective (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)
4.
initiated; begun
noun (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)
5.
a person who has been initiated, esp recently
6.
a beginner; novice
Word origin
C17: from Latin initiāre (vb), from initium; see initial
initiate in American English
(ɪˈnɪʃiˌeɪt; for adj. & n. ɪˈnɪʃiɪt; ɪˈnɪʃiˌeɪt ; or, occas. ɪˈnɪʃɪt)
verb transitiveWord forms: inˈitiˌated or inˈitiˌating
1.
to bring into practice or use; introduce by first doing or using; start
to initiate a new course of studies
2.
to teach the fundamentals of some subject to; help to begin doing something
to initiate someone into the game of chess
3.
to admit as a member into a fraternity, club, etc., esp. with a special or secret ceremony
adjective
4.
initiated
5. Archaic
just begun
noun
6.
a person who has recently been, or is about to be, initiated
SIMILAR WORDS: beˈgin
Derived forms
initiator (inˈitiˌator)
noun
Word origin
< L initiatus, pp. of initiare, to enter upon, initiate < initium: see initial
Examples of 'initiate' in a sentence
initiate
Once the man spent that money, however, he went to several lawyers and finally found one who would initiate a case against me.
Adair, Tom (Intro) THREE KINDS OF KISSING - SCOTTISH SHORT STORIES (1991)
Especially with Soli: if he didn't initiate conversation, Soli was likely to remain as silent as a stone.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (1991)
`She will come before Miss Bray goes so that Miss Bray can initiate her into her duties.
Holt, Victoria THE ROAD TO PARADISE ISLAND (1991)
Naturally I would not initiate any action against them without consulting you.