inaugurate

verb

in·​au·​gu·​rate i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt 

-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

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrā-tər 

-gə-ˌrā-

noun

Synonyms

• begin
• constitute
• establish
• found
• initiate
• innovate
• institute
• introduce
• launch
• pioneer
• plant
• set up
• start

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

The winner of the 2024 presidential election will be inaugurated at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, during the inauguration ceremony. —Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024

Continuing with this theme, the event was inaugurated by Amanda Mille and Tilly Harrison, Managing Director of Richard Mille Middle East and Turkey. —Felicity Carter, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

The president-elect is inaugurated as president on Jan. 20. —Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Trump's campaign promises: End the war in Ukraine before Inauguration Day Trump has more than once promised to end Russia's war on Ukraine before he's inaugurated. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

inaugurate

verb

in·​au·​gu·​rate in-ˈȯ-g(y)ə-ˌrāt 

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

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun