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initiative
[ ih-nish-uh-tiv, ih-nish-ee-uh- ]
noun
- an introductory act or step; leading action:
to take the initiative in making friends.
- readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise:
to lack initiative.
Synonyms: forcefulness, dynamism, leadership
- one's personal, responsible decision:
to act on one's own initiative.
- Government.
- a procedure by which a specified number of voters may propose a statute, constitutional amendment, or ordinance, and compel a popular vote on its adoption. Compare referendum ( def 1 ).
- the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.
adjective
- of or relating to formal admission or acceptance into a club or other group; signifying an initiation:
The secret society's initiative events are best left undescribed.
- serving to set in motion or initiate; introductory; beginning:
Initiative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.
initiative
/ -ˈnɪʃətɪv; ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv /
noun
- the first step or action of a matter; commencing move
he took the initiative
a peace initiative
- the right or power to begin or initiate something
he has the initiative
- the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something
- government
- the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body
- the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland
- on one's own initiativewithout being prompted
adjective
- of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory
Derived Forms
- inˈitiatively, adverb
Other Words From
- in·iti·a·tive·ly adverb
- self-in·iti·a·tive noun
- super·in·iti·a·tive noun
- unin·iti·a·tive adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of initiative1
Idioms and Phrases
see on one's own account (initiative) ; take the initiative .Example Sentences
Fher, tell me more about that new initiative and why it’s so important to you.
Disney has also been on the receiving end of intense conservative criticism over diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The latest initiative comes after the FDA proposed a new requirement in January to include nutrition labels on the front of packaged foods and drinks.
Fans will surely welcome such long-awaited initiatives to improve pace of play on the game's biggest tour.
The new initiative built on other work including an ongoing £20m project addressing phosphorus levels in soil through the Land Use for Net Zero, People and Nature programme, she added.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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