An inauguration's a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example's the ceremony in which the president of the United States officially takes the oath of office. The most common usage of the term's in the context of a formal investiture whereby an individual assumes an office or position of authority or power. The term's usually used in reference to a politician's assumption of the duties of head of state or head of government (for example the President's inaugu… (More on Inauguration)