inauguration

noun

in·​au·​gu·​ra·​tion i-ˌnȯ-gyə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce inauguration (audio)
-gə-
: an act of inaugurating
especially : a ceremonial induction into office

Examples of inauguration in a Sentence

the pomp and circumstance of a presidential inauguration
Recent Examples on the Web The allegations of discrimination laid out in the suit begin in 2017 when, according to the suit, Shaw was sent to Washington, D.C., as part of LMPD’s Honor Guard for Donald Trump’s inauguration. Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024 Taylor had not had any intention of going to the inauguration, but like Johnson, Taylor was a native son of Texas, and his politically active family were early supporters of Johnson. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Those included his iconic Tyra Banks photo from the ’90s, but with Franklin posing in a hat following her eye-catching 2009 appearance at Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 At his inauguration, Washington had but a single tooth that was his. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2024 In 2017, Keith performed at the inauguration of President Trump, who went on to bestow the country star with the National Medal of Arts in 2020. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2024 His first days in office were dominated by his response to the devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked Chile less than two weeks before Piñera’s inauguration. Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 Following the inauguration, Gorman has risen to prominence as an activist, advocating for literacy, education, and civic engagement. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 Though the mosque opened for prayer in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the official inauguration, which took place last month, according to Business Insider’s Chinedu Okafor. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inauguration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1569, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inauguration was in 1569

Dictionary Entries Near inauguration

Cite this Entry

“Inauguration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inauguration. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inauguration

noun
in·​au·​gu·​ra·​tion in-ˌȯ-g(y)ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce inauguration (audio)
: an act or ceremony of inaugurating

More from Merriam-Webster on inauguration

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