initialize

verb

set to the value or put in the condition appropriate to the start of an operation
format (a computer disk)

L299099 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ɪˈnɪʃəlaɪz/

verb

Etymology: From initial + -ize.

To assign initial values to something.
To assign an initial value to a variable.
To format a storage medium prior to use.
To prepare any hardware (such as a printer or scanner) for use.
To reduce (a phrase) to an initialism, or a word to its initial.