Meaning & Definition of word "Initiate"

Initiate

/ɪˈnɪʃiˌeɪt/

noun:

  • 1. A person who is an expert or has been officially accepted into a particular field or group.
    • Example: After years of training, she was finally recognized as an initiate of the martial arts discipline.

verb:

  • 1. To begin or start a process or action.
    • Example: The company plans to initiate a new training program next month.
  • 2. To introduce someone into a particular activity or world.
    • Example: The mentor decided to initiate the young artist into the world of professional painting.
  • 3. To cause a procedure to begin.
    • Example: The doctor had to initiate emergency procedures to stabilize the patient.

Etymology

From Latin 'initiare', from 'initium' meaning 'beginning'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

initiate a conversation:

To start a dialogue with someone.

initiate a process:

To start a particular procedure or operation.

initiate change:

To start a transformation or modification in a system.

Related Words

initiation:

The action of beginning something or admitting someone into a group.

initial:

Existing or occurring at the beginning.

initiatee:

A person who is initiated into something.

Slang Meanings of initiate

Meaning: To kick off something.

Example Sentence: Let's initiate this party with some music!

Meaning: To get the ball rolling.

Example Sentence: We need to initiate the meeting soon to discuss the plan.