inaugurate
Definitions
To formally admit someone into office with a ceremony
为某人举行就职典礼；使正式就任
To officially open or begin something with a ceremony or formal act
正式启用或开创（建筑、服务、时代等）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (in/on) + augur (read omens) + -ate (verb) = literally 'to take the omens first, then proceed.' A Roman official took office only after the augur confirmed the gods approved. That ritual of a blessed, formal start survives: we inaugurate a president and inaugurate (open) a bridge or an era.
Root aug still carries 8 more wordsUsage Guide
Two registers: (1) Politics/office — inaugurate a president/governor; the ceremony is the inauguration. (2) Formal openings — inaugurate a service, building, or era. Both are quite formal; for everyday openings people say 'launch' or 'open.' The agentive 'the one taking office' is the inauguree only rarely; the related adjective is inaugural (the inaugural speech).
Example Sentences
- 1.
The new president will be inaugurated in January.
- 2.
The mayor inaugurated the new subway line with a ribbon-cutting.
- 3.
Their victory inaugurated a decade of unprecedented growth.