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
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
In the past, almost every girl in certain rural areas of the country went to initiation camps, said Eunice M’biya, a lecturer in social history at the University of Malawi.
—
Rabson Kondowe, New York Times, 10 May 2024
There was one was about a former frat brother who was kidnapped during an initiation trip; another was a wacky high school musical.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Those ages 21 to 31 will pay $1,800 annually, with an initiation fee of $1,000.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 May 2024
There are two tiers of membership: Explorer requires a $100,000 initiation fee with annual dues of $6,000 (includes a $2,500 credit for the experience of choice), and Adventurer involves a $20,000 initiation fee with annual dues of $2,500.
—Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
As a student, her formal initiation in the arts was almost curtailed by the City College of New York’s regulations of the time, which restricted women to specific majors — art not being one of them.
—Yahya Salem, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
That site said a golf membership initiation fee costs $500,000, with annual golf dues of $70,000.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Aman New York, which opened in 2022, has offered a membership with an initiation fee of $200,000, plus annual dues.
—Anna Kodé, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Grace also recently opened West Palm’s Cove Club, where the initiation is $15,000, decidedly less than that of Palm Beach’s famed havens.
—Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Rabson Kondowe, New York Times, 10 May 2024
There was one was about a former frat brother who was kidnapped during an initiation trip; another was a wacky high school musical.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Those ages 21 to 31 will pay $1,800 annually, with an initiation fee of $1,000.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 May 2024
There are two tiers of membership: Explorer requires a $100,000 initiation fee with annual dues of $6,000 (includes a $2,500 credit for the experience of choice), and Adventurer involves a $20,000 initiation fee with annual dues of $2,500.
—Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
As a student, her formal initiation in the arts was almost curtailed by the City College of New York’s regulations of the time, which restricted women to specific majors — art not being one of them.
—Yahya Salem, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
That site said a golf membership initiation fee costs $500,000, with annual golf dues of $70,000.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Aman New York, which opened in 2022, has offered a membership with an initiation fee of $200,000, plus annual dues.
—Anna Kodé, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Grace also recently opened West Palm’s Cove Club, where the initiation is $15,000, decidedly less than that of Palm Beach’s famed havens.
—Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near initiation
Cite this Entry
“Initiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiation. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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