diff --git a/packages/core/src/application_init.ts b/packages/core/src/application_init.ts
index b89ed0908a..69b6fe473d 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/application_init.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/application_init.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,59 @@ import {noop} from './util/noop';
  *
  * @see `ApplicationInitStatus`
  *
+ * @usageNotes
+ *
+ * The following example illustrates how to configure a multi-provider using `APP_INITIALIZER` token
+ * and a function returning a promise.
+ *
+ * ```
+ *  function initializeApp(): Promise<any> {
+ *    return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+ *      // Do some asynchronous stuff
+ *      resolve();
+ *    });
+ *  }
+ *
+ *  @NgModule({
+ *   imports: [BrowserModule],
+ *   declarations: [AppComponent],
+ *   bootstrap: [AppComponent],
+ *   providers: [{
+ *     provide: APP_INITIALIZER,
+ *     useFactory: () => initializeApp,
+ *     multi: true
+ *    }]
+ *   })
+ *  export class AppModule {}
+ * ```
+ *
+ * It's also possible to configure a multi-provider using `APP_INITIALIZER` token and a function
+ * returning an observable, see an example below. Note: the `HttpClient` in this example is used for
+ * demo purposes to illustrate how the factory function can work with other providers available
+ * through DI.
+ *
+ * ```
+ *  function initializeApp(httpClient: HttpClient): Observable<any> {
+ *   return httpClient.get("https://someUrl.com/api/user")
+ *     .pipe(
+ *        tap(user => { ... })
+ *     )
+ *  }
+ *
+ *  @NgModule({
+ *    imports: [BrowserModule, HttpClientModule],
+ *    declarations: [AppComponent],
+ *    bootstrap: [AppComponent],
+ *    providers: [{
+ *      provide: APP_INITIALIZER,
+ *      useFactory: initializeApp,
+ *      deps: [HttpClient],
+ *      multi: true
+ *    }]
+ *  })
+ *  export class AppModule {}
+ * ```
+ *
  * @publicApi
  */
 export const APP_INITIALIZER =