initiative

UK: /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/

US: /ɪˈnɪʃiətɪv, ɪˈnɪʃə-/

US: (i nish′ē ə tiv, i nish′ə-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•i•ti•a•tive /ɪˈnɪʃiətɪv, ɪˈnɪʃə-/   n. 

1. a first act or step in a process:
   [countable] to take the initiative in making friends.
2. readiness in initiating action:
   [uncountable] to lack initiative.
3. one's personal, responsible decision:
   [uncountable* usually: one's + ~] The teens decided to act on their own initiative.
4. Government [countable] a procedure by which a certain number of voters may propose a law, etc., and have a popular vote on its adoption.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•i•ti•a•tive  (i nish′ē ə tiv, i nish′ə-), n. 

1. an introductory act or step;
   leading action:
   to take the initiative in making friends.
2. readiness and ability in initiating action;
   enterprise:
   to lack initiative.
3. one's personal, responsible decision:
   to act on one's own initiative.
4. 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. Cf. referendum (def. 1).
   • the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.

adj. 

5. of or pertaining to initiation;
   serving to initiate:
   Initi-ative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.

• initiate + -ive 1785–95

in•i′ti•a•tive•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 2. leadership, forcefulness, dynamism.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

initiative / ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv -ˈnɪʃətɪv/ noun

1. the first step or action of a matter; commencing move: he took the initiative, a peace initiative
2. the right or power to begin or initiate something: he has the initiative
3. the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something
4. the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body
5. on one's own initiative ⇒ without being prompted

adjective

1. of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory

inˈitiatively adverb