commencement

noun

com·​mence·​ment kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt 

1

: an act, instance, or time of commencing

They awaited the commencement of the trial.

2

a

: the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas

A Nobel Prize winner will speak at the commencement.

b

: the period of activities at this time

Commencement will kick off with a family reception followed by a banquet.

Synonyms

• alpha
• baseline
• beginning
• birth
• dawn
• day one
• genesis
• get-go
• git-go
• inception
• incipience
• incipiency
• kickoff
• launch
• morning
• nascence
• nascency
• onset
• outset
• start
• threshold

Examples of commencement in a Sentence

A poet will speak at the commencement.

there was a large turnout at the commencement of the conference, but the numbers dwindled as it progressed

Recent Examples on the Web

Last spring, pro-Palestinian tent encampments crowded schools and disrupted commencement plans, drawing accusations of antisemitism and prompting new limits. —Annie Ma, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024

Aside from sports contests, the venue has already hosted concerts, commencements for local universities and large networking events. —Daniele Proch, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

The event at Fifth Third Arena attracted more than 12,500 fans and ended with a surprise commencement ceremony as the school’s president and athletic director gave each brother his diploma. —Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Milwaukee chef and restaurateur Dan Jacobs will cook up a commencement speech for the University of Wisconsin-Madison this winter. —Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see commence

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

commencement

noun

com·​mence·​ment kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt 

1

: an act, instance, or time of commencing

2

: the ceremonies or the day for presenting degrees or diplomas to graduates of a school or college