verb
inaugurate
ih-NAWG-yuu-rayt
Inaugurate (verb) means to formally install someone into an official position with a ceremony. Example: “The senator will be inaugurated as governor next month.”
verb
1
To formally install someone into an official position with a ceremony.
"The senator will be inaugurated as governor next month."
2
To officially open a building or start something new with a formal ceremony.
"The Holy Father presided over a ceremony to inaugurate the 100th fountain in the Vatican Gardens behind St. Peter's Basilica on Monday morning."
— , Pope inaugurates St. Joseph fountain, 100th in Vatican Gardens (2010)
"The city inaugurated its new subway line with a ribbon-cutting event."
How to use inaugurate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially start or launch something with ceremony — a person into office, or a project or building into use.
Common pairings
inaugurate a president
inaugurate a building
newly inaugurated
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like inaugurate.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- inaugurates
- Past tense
- inaugurated
- Archaic forms
- inauguratest, inauguratedst, inaugurateth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The senator will be _____ as governor next month.
Etymology
From Latin inaugurō, originally meaning to take omens from the flight of birds before installing someone in office — from in- plus augurō, "to act as an augur."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inaugurate
See all rhymes for inaugurate →Frequently asked questions
What does “inaugurate” mean?
The word “inaugurate” means to formally install someone into an official position with a ceremony. In plain terms, to officially start or launch something with ceremony — a person into office, or a project or building into use.
How do you pronounce “inaugurate”?
“Inaugurate” is pronounced ih-NAWG-yuu-rayt (/ɪˈnɔ.ɡjəˌɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “inaugurate” in a sentence?
Here is “inaugurate” used in a sentence: “The senator will be inaugurated as governor next month.”
What part of speech is “inaugurate”?
“Inaugurate” is a verb.
Where does the word “inaugurate” come from?
The word “inaugurate” comes from Latin. From Latin inaugurō, originally meaning to take omens from the flight of birds before installing someone in office — from in- plus augurō, "to act as an augur.".
How many meanings does “inaugurate” have?
“Inaugurate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to formally install someone into an official position with a ceremony.
