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inaugurate
/ɪˈnɔːɡjʊreɪt/
to formally begin
The president will inaugurate the new bridge next month.
The president will officially open the new bridge next month.
formal
To introduce someone formally into a new position or role, especially a public office.
The mayor inaugurated the new city council members.
The mayor officially welcomed the new city council members into their roles.
Often used for ceremonial events like inaugurations of presidents, mayors, or buildings.
formal
To officially open or dedicate something, especially a public building or facility.
The museum was inaugurated by a famous artist.
The museum was officially opened with a ceremony led by a famous artist.
Commonly used for the opening of institutions, infrastructure, or events.
formal
To introduce something new or mark the beginning of a significant event or period.
The treaty inaugurated a new era of peace.
The treaty marked the start of a new peaceful period.
Used metaphorically to describe the start of abstract or conceptual beginnings.
Collocations
inaugurate a presidentto formally swear in a new presidentinaugurate a buildingto officially open a new buildinginaugurate a policyto officially launch a new policy
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Remembering the word
Associate 'inaugurate' with 'inauguration'—the ceremony where a president or official begins their term. The 'in-' prefix suggests 'into' or 'beginning,' while '-augur-' comes from the Latin for 'to predict,' linking to formal beginnings.
Gold Rule
Formality check
Use 'inaugurate' only for official, ceremonial, or formal beginnings. Do not use it for casual events like 'I inaugurated my new coffee maker with a latte.' Instead, say 'I started using my new coffee maker with a latte.'
Word Origin
From Latin 'inaugurare' (to consecrate by augury), from 'in-' (in) + 'augurare' (to interpret omens). Originally referred to interpreting bird signs to determine if an action was approved by the gods. Over time, the meaning shifted to formal introductions or openings.
Usage Notes
Always used in formal contexts. Never used for casual or informal beginnings. Often associated with ceremonies, rituals, or official declarations.
Word Breakdown
in-
into or toward
prefix-augur-
to predict or interpret omens
root-ate
verb-forming suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary