An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended to solve a problem.

In a fight or contest, if you have the initiative, you are in a better position than your opponents to decide what to do next.

If you have initiative, you have the ability to decide what to do next and to do it, without needing other people to tell you what to do.

If you take the initiative in a situation, you are the first person to act, and are therefore able to control the situation.