ɪnɔːɡ(j)ʊˈɹeɪʃən ɪˈnɪʃətɪv ˈmeɪdən the ceremonial induction into a position the new president obviously enjoyed his inauguration serving to set in motion the magazine's inaugural issue the initiative phase in the negotiations an initiatory step toward a treaty his first (or maiden) speech in Congress the liner's maiden voyage occurring at or characteristic of a formal investiture or induction the President's inaugural address an inaugural ball an address delivered at an inaugural ceremony (especially by a United States president)