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 of commencement

• 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

El-Sayed had just delivered the 2007 student commencement address at the University of Michigan, where the former President had also spoken. — Nik Popli, Time, 8 July 2026

Those commencement boos came from a young generation that has watched AI reframe entry-level work as inefficiency, seen generative content flood the visual landscape, and built their own creative identities through friction and craft. — Reid Litman, Fortune, 5 July 2026

There is a reason some students booed commencement speakers who mentioned AI this graduation season. — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

At the same time, Hurlbut said young people are notably suspicious of AI and pointed out that this spring, several commencement speakers who cited the technology drew boos at graduation ceremonies in Arizona, Florida and Tennessee. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 July 2026

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