initiative Hear it!

initiative definition

ini·tia·tive (i nis̸h′ə tiv, -ē ə tiv)

adjective

of, or having the nature of, initiation; introductory; initial

Etymology: ML initiativus

noun

  1. the action of taking the first step or move; responsibility for beginning or originating
  2. the characteristic of originating new ideas or methods; ability to think and act without being urged; enterprise
    1. the right of a legislature to introduce new legislation on some specified matter
    2. the right of a group of citizens to introduce a matter for legislation either to the legislature or directly to the voters
    3. the procedure by which such matters are introduced, usually by a petition signed by a specified percentage of the voters

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms initiative idiom

law initiative definition - legal

initiative Synonyms

initiative

n.

  1. Ability to start things

    enterprise, drive, energy, inventiveness; see ambition 1, force 3.

  2. The starting of things

    action, lead, first step; see action 1, leadership 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

initiative Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • launch: President Bush launched the international initiative in Krakow, Poland, in May 2003.

Preposition: in

  • conjunction: The pioneering work of the Healthy Cities initiative in conjunction with the World Health Organization.

Adjective modifier

  • joint: To attend community meetings and examine the scope for joint agency initiatives 16.

Preposition: with

  • supervision: You should be a natural organizer who is enthusiastic and dynamic and be capable of working with on your own initiative with minimum supervision.

Noun used with modifier

  • finance: The second phase, known as Compass, is the procurement of a managed service through a private finance initiative contract.
initiative usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"initiative." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/initiative>

APA Style

initiative. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/initiative

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