/ ɪˈnɔːgjəreɪt; NAmE / verb
1.
inaugurate sb (as sth) to introduce a new public official or leader at a special ceremony :
[ vn - n ]
He will be inaugurated (as) President in January.
[also vn ]
2.
[ vn ] to officially open a building or start an organization with a special ceremony :
The new theatre was inaugurated by the mayor.
3.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to introduce a new development or an important change :
The moon landing inaugurated a new era in space exploration.
► in·aug·ur·ation / ɪˌnɔːgjəˈreɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U , C ]:
the President's inauguration
an inauguration speech
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from Latin inaugurat- interpreted as omens (from the flight of birds), based on augurare to augur.