[+ object]

1 formal : to cause the beginning of (something) : to start or begin (something)

• initiate a new project
• Doctors have initiated a series of tests to determine the cause of the problem.
• The company initiated judicial proceedings against them.

2  to formally accept (someone) as a member of a group or organization usually in a special ceremony

• The new recruits will be initiated tomorrow night.
• He was initiated into a secret society.

3  to teach (someone) the basic facts or ideas about something — usually + into

• They initiated her into the ways of the corporate world.

— initiator /ɪˈnɪʃiˌeɪt̬ɚ/ noun

• the initiator of the project