Definitions of initiate:

• noun:   people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity

  Example: "It is very familiar to the initiate"

• noun:   someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
• noun:   someone new to a field or activity
• verb:   accept young people into society, usually with some rite

  Example: "African men are initiated when they reach puberty"

• verb:   take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
• verb:   prepare the way for
• verb:   bring up a topic for discussion
• verb:   bring into being

  Example: "He initiated a new program"