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# initiate

verb (initiate, initiates, initiated, initiating); noun (an initiate, initiates)

«initiate» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) To initiate something is to start it or make it begin: initiate a conversation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#m1)
2. To initiate someone into a group is to let them join, often with a special ceremony. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#m2)
3. To initiate someone into something is to teach them the basics of it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#m3)
4. (noun) An initiate is a person who has just been allowed to join a group or learn its secrets. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#m4)

### In the lessons

In formal and exam language «initiate» means «start»: «initiate a plan», «initiate contact». In stories and history: initiation ceremonies into clubs, tribes or secret societies. In computers: initiate a download.

### Examples

- The head teacher initiated a new reading scheme. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#x1)
- Who initiated the argument? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#x2)
- Pupils can initiate a class project. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#x3)
- The club initiated new members with a funny song. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#x4)
- Grandpa initiated me into the secrets of fishing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#x5)
- The new initiates were nervous at their first meeting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#x6)
- Press the button to initiate the countdown. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#x7)
- Uncle Remus initiates the Little Boy II. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/#x8)

### Note

Verb is said in-ISH-ee-ate; noun is said in-ISH-ee-it. Noun for the act: initiation; adjective: initial (first). Formal: in everyday talk say «start» or «begin».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «initiate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initiate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«initiate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/initiate.html) on Mova free.