Definition

1. Transitive Verb:
   • To formally begin or introduce something significant, especially with a ceremony: To mark the formal start of a new period, system, institution, or public office.
   • To induct someone into office with a formal ceremony: To hold a ceremony to formally establish a person in a new position of authority.
   • To be a sign of the beginning of something; to initiate: To introduce or pioneer something new, marking the start of a new era or trend.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Formal Beginning):
  • The city will inaugurate the new library with a public ceremony next week.
  • The treaty inaugurated a new era of peace between the nations.
• Verb (Induct into Office):
  • The Chief Justice will inaugurate the new president on January 20th.
• Verb (Initiate):
  • The invention of the personal computer inaugurated the digital age.

Advanced Usage

• "to inaugurate someone as something": To formally install someone in a specific role.
  • She was inaugurated as the university's first female chancellor.
• "to inaugurate something with something": To begin an event or period with a specific action.
  • They inaugurated the festival with a spectacular fireworks display.

Variants and Related Words

• Inauguration (n): The act or ceremony of inaugurating.
  • The presidential inauguration is a major national event.
• Inaugural (adj): Marking the beginning of an institution, activity, or period of office.
  • The mayor gave her inaugural address to the city council.

Synonyms

• Commence: To begin formally.
• Institute: To establish or set in motion.
• Launch: To start or introduce something, especially with energy.
• Usher in: To mark or cause the beginning of something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "To ring in the new": Similar in meaning to inaugurating a new era, though less formal.
  • The new policy aims to ring in a new era of transparency.

Verb

1. be a precursor of
   • The fall of the Berlin Wall ushered in the post-Cold War period
2. open ceremoniously or dedicate formally
3. commence officially