Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Initiation has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
a formal entry into an organization or position or office
"his initiation into the club"
"he was ordered to report for induction into the army"
"he gave a speech as part of his installation into the hall of fame"
the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new
"she looked forward to her initiation as an adult"
"the foundation of a new scientific society"
wisdom as evidenced by the possession of knowledge
"his knowledgeability impressed me"
"his dullness was due to lack of initiation"
an act that sets in motion some course of events
"The director's decision to hire a new lead actor served as the initiation of a complete overhaul for the theater company."
The act of initiating, or the process of being initiated or introduced
"The initiation ceremony marked the official beginning of his journey into the secret society."
In plain English: Initiation is the act of officially welcoming someone into a new group by giving them special tasks to complete first.
"The initiation into the secret society was marked by a special ceremony."
Usage: Initiation refers to the formal introduction into an organization or group rather than simply starting something new. Use this word when describing rituals that grant membership instead of general beginnings like "commencement."
The word entered English via the Middle French term initiation, which itself came from the Latin initiātiō. It originally referred to the act of being initiated into a group or order and has retained that core meaning in modern usage.