Home › Occasions, Holidays & Parties › Religious Coming-of-Age › initiation

initiation

ih-nish-ee-AY-shuhn /ɪˌnɪʃiˈeɪʃən/

nounB2SATGRE

formal

The action of admitting someone into a secret society, religious group, or adult status through a ritual or formal ceremony.

Emphasizes the transition across a boundary into full membership of a group or status.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'initiationem', built on 'initium' (beginning) and 'inire' (to go into). Ancient mystery cults in Greece and Rome used 'initia' to describe secret rites that brought converts into new spiritual understanding.

Word relationships

induction: 'Induction' is usually secular or organizational (e.g., Hall of Fame), whereas 'initiation' carries transformative or ceremonial weight.
admission: 'Admission' is simple entry or permission to enter, lacking ceremonial depth.

expulsion: 'Expulsion' is the forced removal or rejection from a group.

Commonly confused with

Initiative: 'Initiative' means readiness to take action; 'initiation' is the process of being admitted into a group.

Word family

initiate (verb / noun): To begin or introduce; a person who has been initiated.
initiatory (adjective): Constituting or serving as an initiation.

Collocations

initiation rite
initiation ceremony
undergo initiation
formal initiation

Idioms & expressions

trial by fire

Example sentences

"The tribe's initiation rites tested the endurance and bravery of the young hunters." Cultural Anthropology
"Baptism serves as the foundational initiation into the wider Christian community." Religious Ceremony

Memory hook

INITIAL start = INITIATION into a group. The entrance ritual to a new beginning.

When not to use

Do not use when talking about continuing membership that involves no transition event.

Fun facts

In ancient Roman religion, 'Initia' was a name given specifically to the secret mystery rites of the goddess Ceres.