Words / C1

i-NISH-ee-ayt/ɪˈnɪʃieɪt/

To initiate is to start something, often official: initiate an inquiry, initiate a recall. Start and begin are everyday; launch is public. Initiative (already in the dictionary) is a plan or the quality of acting first. An initiate (noun) is a new member of a group. Do not initiate a cup of tea.

Meaning

To start a process or scheme, often an official one.

Examples

• “Legal must initiate the recall; a tweet is not a start.”
• “Only legal can initiate the product recall; a tweet is not the start.”
• “Take the initiative is the noun of daring; initiate the procedure is the verb of starting it.”

Good to know

Begin (often formally). Noun mix-up: initiative (a scheme / get-up-and-go). Everyday: start. New member: an initiate. Not tea.

Near in meaning

begin

New