inaugurate
verb
in·au·gu·rate
i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt 
-gə-ˌrāt
inaugurated; inaugurating
1
: to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies
2
a
: to dedicate ceremoniously : observe formally the beginning of
inaugurate a new school
b
: to bring about the beginning of
an event that inaugurated a new era in history
Examples of inaugurate in a Sentence
They inaugurated the new headquarters with a brief ceremony.
inaugurated the college's athletic program for women
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the historical artists appearing are Conceptual artist Bettina (1927–2020), whose solo exhibition at Cento gallery will be her first ever in the UK, and artist and photographer David Wojnarowicz (1954–1992), whose solo show will inaugurate the Carlton Place Gallery at the Modern Institute.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 20 Mar. 2026
The hostages were eventually released — on the day Republican Ronald Reagan was inaugurated.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
In late January, Sheinbaum inaugurated the first phase of the project, which included a section directly connecting the El Chaparral border crossing to Playas de Tijuana.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Welcome to the wild world of casting non-professional actors, a practice that is in the spotlight this year as the Academy inaugurates the casting Oscar.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inaugurate
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News Desk, Artforum, 20 Mar. 2026
The hostages were eventually released — on the day Republican Ronald Reagan was inaugurated.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
In late January, Sheinbaum inaugurated the first phase of the project, which included a section directly connecting the El Chaparral border crossing to Playas de Tijuana.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Welcome to the wild world of casting non-professional actors, a practice that is in the spotlight this year as the Academy inaugurates the casting Oscar.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inaugurate
Cite this Entry
“Inaugurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inaugurate. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inaugurate
verb
in·au·gu·rate
in-ˈȯ-g(y)ə-ˌrāt
inaugurated; inaugurating
1
: to introduce into office with suitable ceremonies : install
inaugurate a president
2
: to celebrate the opening of
inaugurate a new gym
3
: to bring into being or action
inaugurate a new plan
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