inaugurate
gb/ɪnˈɔɡjɚɪt/ us/ɪnˈɔɡjɚɪt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
action
1
formally install in office
to officially make someone president, mayor, or another leader in a formal ceremony
Usage pattern:
[someone] is inaugurated as [office/title]
Common mistake:
Do not use this for giving someone an ordinary job; it usually refers to an important public or official position.
Synonyms
swear in (more specifically emphasizes the official oath)
|
install (formal; emphasizes putting someone into a position)
|
induct (often used for membership in an organization rather than elected office)
Antonyms
remove (take someone out of an official position)
|
oust (force someone out of power or office)
Collocations
be inaugurated as president
|be inaugurated as mayor
|be inaugurated into office
|newly inaugurated president
|inauguration ceremony
|president-elect is inaugurated
Themes
government
|politics
|ceremonies
|leadership
Examples
- She was inaugurated as the country's first female president in January.
- The new mayor will be inaugurated at city hall on Monday.
- After a short ceremony, the governor was officially inaugurated for a second term.
Learner examples
- The president was inaugurated in January.
- He was inaugurated as mayor last week.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
officially open or launch
to officially open or start something, often in a ceremony
Usage pattern:
inaugurate [a building/project/service/event]
Common mistake:
For everyday starts, use “start,” “open,” or “launch”; “inaugurate” sounds formal and official.
Synonyms
open (more general and much more common)
|
launch (common for products, services, and projects)
|
unveil (emphasizes presenting something new to the public)
Antonyms
close (stop a place or event from operating)
|
shut down (end the operation of a service, project, or organization)
|
terminate (formal; end something officially)
Collocations
inaugurate a new building
|inaugurate a hospital
|inaugurate a project
|inaugurate a service
|inaugurate a program
|inaugurate a festival
|officially inaugurate
Themes
ceremonies
|business
|public_services
|events
Examples
- The prime minister inaugurated the new hospital this morning.
- The company inaugurated its first overseas office last week.
- The festival was inaugurated with a concert in the main square.
Learner examples
- They inaugurated the new school on Friday.
- The museum was inaugurated by the mayor.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
begin a new period
to begin an important new time, change, or way of doing things
Usage pattern:
inaugurate [a period/era/tradition/policy/phase]
Common mistake:
This use is often figurative and usually describes an important change, not a small everyday beginning.
Synonyms
begin (more general and neutral)
|
initiate (formal; emphasizes causing something to start)
|
usher in (often used for the start of a new era or period)
|
introduce (emphasizes bringing a new practice or policy into use)
Antonyms
end (bring a period or activity to a close)
|
conclude (formal; finish something)
|
terminate (formal; stop something completely)
Collocations
inaugurate a new era
|inaugurate a period of reform
|inaugurate a tradition
|inaugurate a new phase
|inaugurate a policy
|inaugurate a shift
Themes
change
|history
|society
|business
Examples
- The discovery inaugurated a new era in cancer treatment.
- Her appointment inaugurated a period of rapid reform at the university.
- The policy inaugurated a shift toward more flexible working hours.
Learner examples
- The invention inaugurated a new era in travel.
- The new law inaugurated major changes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inaugurate
IPA
GB/ɪnˈɔɡjɚɪt/
US/ɪnˈɔɡjɚɪt/
Syllables & stress
in - aug - ur - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (aug)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: inaugurate
- 3rd Person Singular: inaugurates
- Present Participle: inaugurating
- Past: inaugurated
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.