adjective / noun

inaugural

in-AW-gyuh-rul/ɪˈnɔːɡjərəl/

Marking or celebrating the beginning of something.

The inaugural ceremony includes cutting a ribbon at the new space.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting marks the formal opening of a new community space: a middle-aged South Asian woman cuts the ribbon while an older Middle Eastern or North African man applauds beside her.

Etymology

inLatinin, on

+augurLatinto act as an augur, predict

+alLatinpertaining to

Acting as an augur involved reading omens, including birds’ flight; the Latin compound also meant consecrating or installing when omens were favorable. That ceremonial installation connects inaugural with marking a formal beginning.

In context

PMC Watch0:32

welcome to baldacci on business i am so pleased to introduce a whole new concept to our viewers tonight this is our inaugural show called pitch me

Baldacci On Business PitchME Oct 2012.mov

More examples

The new service makes its inaugural journey today.
Guests gather for the president's inaugural.
The museum's inaugural exhibition opens on Friday.

Forms

inaugural · inaugurals

Similar words

first: Marks position in a sequence without the sense of a formal beginning.
opening: Opening simply begins an event; inaugural often marks an important first occasion or term.