# initiator

/ˌɪnɪˈʃieɪtɝ/ (US) · /ɪnˈɪʃɪˌeɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/initiator
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a person or thing that starts a process or a chemical reaction. In computing, it is the device that sends a request to another computer.

For teachers: an agent or substance that triggers a chemical reaction or a specific process. In a technical context, it refers to the entity that instigates a communication request or a sequence of operations.

## Examples

- The initiator starts the chemical reaction.
- In a network request, the initiator sends a signal to the responder to begin the data transfer.
- The study identified the specific enzyme as the primary initiator of the metabolic pathway, highlighting its critical role in cellular energy production.

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