initiation

noun

ini·​ti·​a·​tion i-ˌni-shē-ˈā-shən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of initiating

b

: the process of being initiated

c

: the rites, ceremonies, ordeals, or instructions with which one is made a member of a sect or society or is invested with a particular function or status

2

: the condition of being initiated into some experience or sphere of activity : knowledgeableness

Synonyms

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

Examples of initiation in a Sentence

his initiation as a member of the club

crimes committed as part of gang initiations

the initiation of judicial proceedings

Recent Examples on the Web

Since these deal initiations typically take six to nine months to finalize, a surge of new deal announcements is expected to unfold in the first half of 2025. —Rusty Wiley, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A) is a protein that helps cells efficiently make other proteins, playing a key role in two translation stages: initiation and elongation (helping ribosomes move along the mRNA and add amino acids to the protein chain). —New Atlas, 1 Jan. 2025

The data engineering stock jumped 16.3% following Wedbush’s initiation at outperform. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024

Much of my initiation to these language-worlds of diagnostic process came about in the waiting rooms of children’s psychiatric wards. —Caitlyn Murphy, Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing initiation

• initiation rite

Kids Definition

initiation

noun

ini·​ti·​a·​tion in-ˌish-ē-ˈā-shən 

1

: the act of initiating : the process of being initiated : introduction

2

: the ceremonies with which a person is made a member of a club or society