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 Golf has surged in popularity in recent years, and L.A.’s courses — convenient and affordable — draw players who can’t (or won’t) pay the five- and six-figure initiation fees to gain entry to tony private country clubs. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 The 30-strong operation is more like a members-only club than a conventional travel agency, with a $150,000 initiation fee and annual dues of $25,000. The Editors, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 Specifically, a disclosure is not timely, and therefore a taxpayer may not enter the VDP, unless it is made prior to the initiation of an IRS civil or criminal examination and before the IRS receives information from a third party (e.g., through an IRS whistleblower claim). Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The ultra-exclusive club requires an initiation fee of $125,000 and $17,300 in annual dues. USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024 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

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 29 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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