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

The initiation of expert level track will begin in coming days with a view to hammer out details. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025

Oliveira’s father was a wealthy industrialist, and a view from the old house’s perspective invokes the comforts that his family’s prosperity afforded, and, with these, the inner vistas, the aesthetic initiation that opened up to him in his urbane youth. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025

Six Flags — The amusement park operator added 6.9% following Barclays’ initiation at overweight. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025

And so there was a kind of bonding, initiation process, stepping into all of it. —Abigail Lee, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing initiation

• initiation rite

Rhymes for initiation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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