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

The Bearcats, 22-15 a year ago, went 7-11 in their inaugural season in the Big 12, winning two games in the postseason NIT. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 11 Jan. 2025

This includes activities such as the inaugural parade, balls, and other celebratory events following the official swearing-in ceremony. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

Noun

Google has donated to inaugurals in the past, and the YouTube livestream and link to the inauguration on Google’s homepage are in line with previous inaugurations, a spokesperson said. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025

There were only 25 completed by the first Trump inaugural in 2017, when Ms. Wiles was not in the administration. —Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 9 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