[ih-nish-ee-uh-tiv, ih-nish-uh-] /ɪˈnɪʃ i ə tɪv, ɪˈnɪʃ ə-/
noun
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.
It inspires the initiative that makes our productivity the wonder of the world.
The bride of good family need do nothing on her own initiative.
It was that personal character and initiative are the prime requisites in political and social life.
In my mind, these are types of management bullies' methods, whether by individual initiative or silent company policy.
The initiative was thus lost when it should have been won.
The other measure is an initiative to fix initiatives.
Rate each initiative on the basis of how it aids strategy and then implement it accordingly.
It hits many of the high spots, leaving the rest to your own initiative.
All had powerful personal motivations to make the initiative work.
Those who were able walked silently toward the suburbs in the distant hills, their spirits broken, their initiative gone.
British Dictionary definitions for initiative
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.
(government)
the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body
the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland
5.
on one's own initiative, without being prompted
adjective
6.
of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory
Derived Forms
initiatively, adverb
Word Origin and History for initiative
n.
1793, "that which begins," also "power of initiating," from French initiative (1560s), from Latin initiatus (see initiation). First attested in English in writings of William Godwin. Phrase take the initiative recorded by 1844.