initiate
verb
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
Examples of initiate in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
They’ve also been known to more aggressively raise rents and initiate eviction proceedings than other landlords.
—
Alex Schwartz, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Bank of America initiates Select Water Solutions as buy The firm says the water company is best positioned.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 29 May 2026
In financial institutions, for instance, systems have long been built around the assumption that a human is initiating a transaction.
—Andrew Sever, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
In this particular case, the deputy initiated Thomas’ traffic stop based upon his visual observation, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
—Sofia Saric
may 28, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for initiate
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Alex Schwartz, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Bank of America initiates Select Water Solutions as buy The firm says the water company is best positioned.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 29 May 2026
In financial institutions, for instance, systems have long been built around the assumption that a human is initiating a transaction.
—Andrew Sever, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
In this particular case, the deputy initiated Thomas’ traffic stop based upon his visual observation, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
—Sofia Saric
may 28, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for initiate
Cite this Entry
“Initiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiate. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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
Etymology
from Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare "to begin" — related to commence
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