initiative
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ini·tia·tive (i nis̸h′ə tiv, -ē ə tiv)
adjective
Etymology: ML initiativus
noun
- the action of taking the first step or move; responsibility for beginning or originating
- the characteristic of originating new ideas or methods; ability to think and act without being urged; enterprise
- the right of a legislature to introduce new legislation on some specified matter
- the right of a group of citizens to introduce a matter for legislation either to the legislature or directly to the voters
- 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:
initiative
n.
Ability to start things
enterprise, drive, energy, inventiveness; see ambition 1, force 3.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.
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.
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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