inaugurate

verb

in·​au·​gu·​rate i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt How to pronounce inaugurate (audio)
-gə-ˌrāt
inaugurated; inaugurating

transitive verb

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
inaugurator noun
Choose the Right Synonym for inaugurate

begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate, usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation.

begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable.

begin, opposed to end, is the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

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
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.
With the self-assurance of an entrepreneur and the bluff of a big-time poker player, President Donald Trump inaugurated a new and uncertain era in U.S. trade relations this week. Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Feb. 2025 The performance of American air traffic controllers has become one of many political flashpoints since President Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term Jan. 20. Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2025 In the six years since Gov. Phil Murphy inaugurated the program, the Garden State has doubled for a wide range of locales, including New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, New England, Los Angeles and Florida, as well as Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025 Since Trump was inaugurated Monday, ICE has made at least 2,681 arrests. Daniella Silva, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for inaugurate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin inauguratus, past participle of inaugurare, literally, to practice augury, from in- + augurare to augur; from the rites connected with augury

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inaugurate was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near inaugurate

Cite this Entry

“Inaugurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inaugurate. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

inaugurate

verb
in·​au·​gu·​rate in-ˈȯ-g(y)ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce inaugurate (audio)
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
inaugurator noun

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