initiative
[ ih-nish-ee-uh-tiv, ih-nish-uh- ]
/ ɪˈnɪʃ i ə tɪv, ɪˈnɪʃ ə- /
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.
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.
SYNONYMS FOR initiative
OTHER WORDS FROM initiative
in·i·ti·a·tive·ly, adverb self-in·i·ti·a·tive, noun su·per·in·i·ti·a·tive, noun un·in·i·ti·a·tive, adjectiveWords nearby initiative
initialize,
initiate,
initiating agent,
initiation,
initiation factor,
initiative,
initiator,
initiatory,
initis,
inject,
inject.
Example sentences from the Web for initiative
British Dictionary definitions for initiative
initiative
/ (ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv, -ˈnɪʃətɪv) /
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 initiative
without being prompted
adjective
of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory
Derived forms of initiative
initiatively, adverbIdioms and Phrases with initiative
initiative
see on one's own account (initiative); take the initiative.