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

Here’s how the ceasefire negotiations have played out so far: January 20: Trump is inaugurated as president of the United States. —Antoinette Radford, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025

At the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut, a group show inaugurates the museum’s new sculpture garden, with works prompting questions about what gardens have been and can still be. —Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 2025

That same day, Trump was inaugurated into the Oval Office and signed the executive order that froze all foreign assistance. —Liam Reilly, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025

By raising the aluminum tariff to 25 percent and eliminating the Biden exemptions, President Trump is delivering on his pledge to put American workers first and inaugurate a new golden age. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025

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