initiative: Meaning and Definition of

in•i•ti•a•tive

1. an introductory act or step; leading action: to take the initiative in making friends.
2. readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise: to lack initiative.
3. one's personal, responsible decision: to act on one's own initiative.
1. a procedure by which a specified number of voters may propose a statute, constitutional amendment, or ordinance, and compel a popular vote on its adoption. Cf. referendum (def. 1).
2. the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.

1. of or pertaining to initiation; serving to initiate: Initi-ative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.