initiation

noun

ini·​ti·​a·​tion i-ˌni-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce initiation (audio)
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

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 Its New York club made news in 2022 by charging an initiation fee of as much as $200,000 while receiving mixed reviews in local publications. Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 Monthly membership fees are well over $2,000, on top of a $175,000 initiation fee. Matthew Glenesk, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Jan. 2024 The spacecraft has started the final engine burn By Christian Davenport Reporter covering NASA and the space industry The spacecraft has begun its final major engine burn, known as powered descent initiation, which should last 11 minutes and lower the craft toward the lunar surface. Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 At Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica, the Rite of the Womb ritual, based on initiation traditions of Amazonian and Andean shamans, is offered to women who are pregnant, entering menopause, or have had hysterectomies. Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2024 The 20-year-old, nearly 7-foot-4 rookie’s initiation to the NBA world has drawn rave reviews in many ways. Tim Reynolds, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 Before the film came to Atlanta, several men walked up Stone Mountain and set fire to a cross to symbolically resurrect the group -- which would later host Klan rallies, member initiations and more for decades, the Atlanta History Center reports. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2024 Fox says that membership, which requires a one-time initiation fee of $90K followed by monthly dues of $1,000, skews young as far as these things go. Katie Kelly Bell, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2024 Other concerns: rookie kicker Jake Moody’s postseason initiation, their punt return or coverage units, an officiating blunder, and perhaps overconfidence (see: after the 42-10 win over Dallas). Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'initiation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of initiation was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near initiation

Cite this Entry

“Initiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

initiation

noun
ini·​ti·​a·​tion in-ˌish-ē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce initiation (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on initiation

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