inaugurate

Everyday

1. To swear a new leader into office at an official ceremony, such as a US president. tree →
2. To open a new building, service or event officially for the first time. tree →
3. (formal) To begin or start a new period or system. tree →

In the lessons

In history and citizenship lessons, US presidents are inaugurated on 20 January after an election. In everyday news, a mayor inaugurates a new bridge, library or hospital, often by cutting a ribbon. Phrases: be inaugurated as, inaugurate a new era, inauguration day.

Examples

• The new president was inaugurated in Washington. tree →
• The mayor inaugurated the new library by cutting a ribbon. tree →
• The festival was inaugurated in 1950 and still runs today. tree →
• The invention of the steam train inaugurated a new age of travel. tree →
• Our school inaugurated its new playground with a party. tree →
• The first Australian Parliament was inaugurated in 1901. tree →

Note

Noun: «inauguration» (Inauguration Day in the USA). Pronounced in-AW-gyuh-rate. In the UK, a monarch is «crowned» (coronation) rather than inaugurated.