initiate definition

1. someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
2. people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity
• examples: it is very familiar to the initiate
3. take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
• examples: This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants
4. accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite
• examples: African men are initiated when they reach puberty