1. setting up a computer program, system, or device for first use or preparing it to begin operation
Usage: computing; technology
2. setting initial values for variables or data structures in a computer program
Usage: programming; technical

Examples

• The computer is initializing and should be ready in a few minutes.
• Please wait while the software is initializing your settings.
• The programmer spent time initializing all the variables before running the code.
• The system is initializing the database for the first time.
• After initializing the application, you can begin entering data.
• The device keeps initializing but never fully starts up.