inaugural

1 of 2

adjective

in·​au·​gu·​ral i-ˈnȯ-gyə-rəl 

-g(ə-)rəl

1

: of or relating to an inauguration

2

: marking a beginning : first in a projected series

inaugural

2 of 2

noun

1

: an inaugural address

2

: inauguration

Synonyms

Adjective

• earliest
• first
• foremost
• headmost
• initial
• leadoff
• maiden
• original
• pioneer
• premier
• virgin

Noun

• baptism
• inauguration
• induction
• initiation
• installation
• installment
• instalment
• investiture
• investment

Examples of inaugural in a Sentence

Adjective

They attended the inaugural ball.

the inaugural event in the city's week long festival honoring the sailing ships

Noun

attended the inaugurals of the city's last three mayors

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With just one round of fixtures remaining of the inaugural 36-team Champions League league phase, two-thirds of the competition are still awaiting their fate. —Thom Harris, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

That year, Shelby won the FIA sports car world championship, before taking the inaugural two Trans Am championships in 1966 and 1967. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Noun

Similar to previous inaugurals, Nielsen’s audience numbers do not include streaming which continues to grow as a video source. —Brad Adgate, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Not So Glamorous Speaking of which, inaugurals are theoretically supposed to be glamorous. —Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inaugural

• pre-inaugural

Kids Definition

inaugural

1 of 2 adjective

in·​au·​gu·​ral in-ˈȯ-gyə-rəl 

-g(ə-)rəl

1

: of or relating to an inauguration

the inaugural address

an inaugural ball

2

: marking a beginning

the inaugural run of a new high-speed train

inaugural

2 of 2 noun

1

: an inaugural address

2

: inauguration