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Definition of "initial" []

  • Of, relating to, or occurring at the beginning; first: took the initial step toward peace. (adjective)
  • Designating the first letter or letters of a word. (adjective)
  • The first letter of a proper name. (noun)
  • The first letter of each word of a person's full name considered as a unit: stationery monogrammed with her initials. (noun)
  • The first letter of a word. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "initial" in a sentence
  • "Investigators say they met with Shawn over the weekend in what they term initial talks, adding, the tough questions and complete debrief are still down the road."
  • "Investigator say, they met with Shawn over the weekend in what they termed initial talks, adding, the tough questions and complete debrief are still down the road."
  • "In addition, FEMA is sending what it calls initial response kits."