What is the meaning of initiative?

noun

• Readiness to embark on bold new ventures.
  • synonyms: enterprise, enterprisingness, go-ahead
• The first of a series of actions.
  • synonyms: first step, opening move, opening

adjective

• Serving to set in motion.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: inaugural, initiatory, first, maiden