initiation
gb/ɪnˌɪʃiˈeɪʃən/ us/ɪnˌɪʃiˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 7100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
the beginning of something planned
The act of beginning an organized action, plan, or process.
Usage pattern:
the initiation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'the initiation for the project'* instead of the more natural *'the initiation of the project'*. Use the preposition 'of' to show what is being started.
Synonyms
start (More general and informal; can be used for almost any beginning, not just organized processes.)
|
launch (Often used for starting major products, campaigns, or projects; slightly more dynamic in tone.)
|
commencement (More formal; often used in legal, official, or ceremonial contexts.)
Antonyms
end (General opposite; refers to the final point of an activity or process.)
|
termination (More formal and technical; often used for the official or deliberate ending of something.)
Collocations
initiation of talks
|initiation of negotiations
|initiation of proceedings
|project initiation
|policy initiation
|initiation phase
Themes
work
|government
|education
|business
Examples
- The initiation of the new training program has been delayed until next month.
- Several countries welcomed the initiation of peace talks between the two sides.
- Strict rules govern the initiation of legal proceedings in such cases.
- Funding problems nearly stopped the initiation of the research project.
- The report outlines the steps required for the initiation of the scheme.
Learner examples
- The initiation of the class will be next week.
- Bad weather stopped the initiation of the building work.
- The company celebrated the initiation of its new project.
- We are waiting for the initiation of the test.
- The manager approved the initiation of the plan.
Noun
B2
event
2
ceremony for joining a group
A special ceremony that makes someone a member of a group or marks a new stage in life.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s initiation into [a group]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'initiation' with 'orientation'. An 'orientation' usually gives information to new members, while an 'initiation' is a ceremony or ritual to officially make them part of the group.
Synonyms
induction (Commonly used for formally bringing someone into a job or official position; less tied to tradition or ritual pain/hardship.)
|
rite of passage (Broader term for any event marking a major life change, not only membership in a group.)
Antonyms
expulsion (Being formally forced out of a group is the opposite of being formally brought in.)
|
excommunication (In religious contexts, it is the formal removal from a religious community, opposing religious initiation.)
Collocations
initiation ceremony
|initiation rites
|fraternity initiation
|gang initiation
|religious initiation
|initiation ritual
Themes
culture
|religion
|education
|relationships
Examples
- Her initiation into the sorority involved a week of traditions and ceremonies.
- Only after the initiation ceremony were the new members allowed to wear the club jacket.
- The tribe holds an initiation for boys when they reach a certain age.
- Some universities have strict rules about what is allowed during student initiations.
- He still remembers his painful army initiation as a young recruit.
Learner examples
- The club has an initiation for all new members.
- Her initiation into the group was last weekend.
- The initiation ceremony lasted two hours.
- They planned an initiation for the new students.
- He was nervous before his initiation into the team.
Noun
C1
event
3
first serious introduction to something
Someone’s first strong experience that teaches them about a new activity, subject, or way of life.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s initiation into [field/activity]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'initiation' where simple 'introduction' is more natural. 'Initiation' is usually used when the first experience is deep, intense, or life-changing, not for very small or casual experiences.
Synonyms
introduction (More common and general; 'initiation' often implies deeper or more intense first involvement.)
|
exposure (Focuses on being subjected to a new thing, while 'initiation' suggests guided learning or entry.)
Antonyms
withdrawal (Leaving or pulling back from an activity contrasts with being first introduced to it.)
Collocations
initiation into politics
|initiation into the world of [something]
|initiation into business
|initiation into adulthood
|initiation into city life
|initiation into sex
Themes
education
|culture
|lifestyle
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Working in that chaotic newsroom was his initiation into professional journalism.
- The trip to New York was her initiation into big-city life.
- Their first project together served as my initiation into the world of start-ups.
- That difficult case became her initiation into criminal law.
- The book offers a gentle initiation into modern art for beginners.
Learner examples
- The job was his initiation into office work.
- The class was my initiation into computer programming.
- Living abroad was her initiation into a new culture.
- This simple book is a good initiation into economics.
- The camp was their initiation into life away from home.
Noun
technical
C1
event
4
start of a scientific process
In science, the first step that makes a reaction or process start.
Usage pattern:
the initiation of [a reaction/process]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use everyday words like 'start' in very formal technical writing where 'initiation' or 'onset' would be more appropriate. In scientific texts, 'initiation' often refers to a specific, defined stage with a technical meaning.
Synonyms
onset (Often used in medicine for when a disease or condition begins.)
|
triggering (Emphasizes the cause that sets off the process rather than the formal first stage.)
Antonyms
inhibition (In scientific contexts, refers to the prevention or slowing of a process, opposing its initiation.)
|
termination (Refers to the end of a process, contrasting with its start.)
Collocations
initiation of polymerization
|initiation of transcription
|tumor initiation
|initiation of DNA replication
|reaction initiation
|initiation phase of cancer
Themes
science
|medicine
|technology
Examples
- The enzyme is responsible for the initiation of DNA replication.
- Researchers are studying the factors involved in tumor initiation.
- Light can cause the initiation of the polymerization reaction.
- The initiation of transcription is tightly controlled by regulatory proteins.
- Early events during cancer initiation are still not fully understood.
Learner examples
- This chemical causes the initiation of the reaction.
- Many genes control the initiation of cancer.
- Heat can help with the initiation of the process.
- The doctor explained the initiation of the disease.
- They want to stop the initiation of the bad cells.
Grammar
Dictionary form
initiation
IPA
GB/ɪnˌɪʃiˈeɪʃən/
US/ɪnˌɪʃiˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ini - ti - ation (3 syllables)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: initiation
- Plural: initiation, initiations
Word family
Forms
initiations
noun
Core family
Related words
initiator
noun
Negative and opposite forms
uninitiated
adjective
Advanced or less common
initiatory
adjective
Expressions
initiation ceremony
1/ɪnˌɪʃiˈeɪʃən sˈɛɹɪmˌoʊni/
fixed phrase
ceremony to welcome new members
A formal event where someone officially becomes part of a group or reaches a new stage in life.
Examples
- All the new students attended the initiation ceremony on the first day of term.
- The club’s initiation ceremony included speeches, songs, and the giving of badges.
- Only close family members were invited to the religious initiation ceremony.
initiation fee
1/ɪnˌɪʃiˈeɪʃən fˈi/
fixed phrase
one-time payment to join
A one-time amount of money you must pay when you first join a club, gym, or other group.
Examples
- The gym charges a high initiation fee but low monthly payments.
- New members must pay an initiation fee when they sign up.
- We decided not to join because the initiation fee was too expensive.
initiation rites
1/ɪnˌɪʃiˈeɪʃən ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
traditional rituals for new members
Traditional or religious acts that someone must go through to join a group or move to a new stage in life.
Examples
- Their initiation rites for new members are secret and very old.
- Anthropologists studied the initiation rites of the local community.
- The army’s unofficial initiation rites were later banned as hazing.
project initiation
1/pɹˈɑd͡ʒɛkt ɪnˌɪʃiˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
first official phase of a project
The early stage of a project when the idea is approved, and the main goals and plan are decided.
Examples
- Good project initiation helps prevent problems later in the schedule.
- During the project initiation phase, we defined the scope and budget.
- The company has a strict process for project initiation and approval.