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

• beginning
• start
• inception
• onset
• launch

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

In a joint commencement speech with Murty at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (where the couple first met back in 2004), Sunak told graduates that key to finding success is being adept at both what the data and own instinct is telling you. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 9 July 2025

Police say Rodney Hinton Jr. struck the deputy with his car May 1 as the deputy was directing traffic for the University of Cincinnati commencement. —Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025

However, the university warns that many frequently reach capacity during commencement events, and guests are encouraged to have backup parking plans in other garages. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

If a debtor is found to have fraudulently transferred assets in the one year prior to the commencement of a bankruptcy case (either voluntary or involuntary), the court is required under Bankruptcy Code 727 to deny the debtor's discharge. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

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