Definitions for Initiativeɪˈnɪʃ i ə tɪv, ɪˈnɪʃ ə-

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word Initiative

Princeton's WordNet

  1. enterprise, enterprisingness, initiative, go-ahead(noun)

    readiness to embark on bold new ventures

  2. first step, initiative, opening move, opening(adj)

    the first of a series of actions

  3. inaugural, initiative, initiatory, first, maiden(adj)

    serving to set in motion



  1. Initiative(n.)


  2. Initiative(n.)


  3. Origin: [Cf. F. initiative.]


  1. initiative(Noun)

    A beginning; a first move.

  2. initiative(Noun)

    A new development; a fresh approach to something; a new way of dealing with a problem.

  3. initiative(Noun)

    The ability to act first or on one's own.

  4. initiative(Noun)

    An issue to be voted on, brought to the ballot by a sufficient number of signatures from among the voting public.

  5. initiative(Adjective)

    In which voter initiatives can be brought to the ballot.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Initiative(adj)

    serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary

  2. Initiative(noun)

    an introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins

  3. Initiative(noun)


  4. Origin: [Cf. F. initiative.]


  1. Initiative

    In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote. The initiative may take the form of a direct initiative or an indirect initiative. In a direct initiative, a measure is put directly to a vote after being submitted by a petition. In an indirect initiative, a measure is first referred to the legislature, and then put to a popular vote only if not enacted by the legislature. The vote may be on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or local ordinance, or to simply oblige the executive or legislature to consider the subject by submitting it to the order of the day. It is a form of direct democracy.

The Roycroft Dictionary

  1. initiative

    Doing the right thing without being told.

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'Initiative' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2809

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'Initiative' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3224

  3. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'Initiative' in Nouns Frequency: #843


  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Initiative in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Initiative in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Sample Sentences & Example Usage

  1. Frank Herbert, Dune:

    Beaurocracy destroys initiative.

  2. Rob Bernstone:

    It's a serious initiative at the firm.

  3. Intesa Sanpaolo:

    It is a positive initiative for the system.

  4. Victor Hugo:

    Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.

  5. An Israeli security official:

    He went on his own initiative, without his family's knowledge.

Images & Illustrations of Initiative

Translations for Initiative

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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