initiative

in·i·tia·tive

Use initiative in a sentence

adjective

The definition of initiative is the nature to take the first step in something.
An example of initiative is someone who is always first to start a new project.

noun

Initiative is defined as the act of taking the first step.
An example of initiative is going to the city council with a new idea.

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MLA Style

"initiative." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Initiative>.

APA Style

initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Initiative

initiative

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

Origin of initiative

Medieval Latin initiativus

the action of taking the first step or making the first move; responsibility for beginning or originating
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

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"initiative." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Initiative>.

APA Style

initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Initiative

initiative

noun

The power or ability to begin or to follow through energetically with a plan or task; enterprise and determination.
A beginning or introductory step; an opening move: took the initiative in trying to solve the problem.
a. The power or right to introduce a new legislative measure.
b. The right and procedure by which citizens can propose a law by petition and ensure its submission to the electorate.

adjective

Of or relating to initiation.
Used to initiate; initiatory.

Related Forms:

in·i′tia·tive·ly
adverb

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"initiative." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Initiative>.

APA Style

initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Initiative

Noun

(plural initiatives)

A beginning; a first move.
A new development; a fresh approach to something; a new way of dealing with a problem.
The ability to act first or on one's own.
An issue to be voted on, brought to the ballot by a sufficient number of signatures from among the voting public.

Adjective

(not comparable)

Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary.
In which voter initiatives can be brought to the ballot.

Antonyms

noninitiative

Origin

From French initiative, from Medieval Latin *initiativus (“serving to initiate”), from Late Latin initiare (“to begin, Latin initiate”), from Latin initium (“beginning”), from ineo (“enter, begin”).

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.