commencement

com·mence·ment

noun \kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt\

Definition of COMMENCEMENT

1

: an act, instance, or time of commencing

2

a : the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas

b : the period of activities at this time

Examples of COMMENCEMENT

1. A poet will speak at the commencement.
2. <there was a large turnout at the commencement of the conference, but the numbers dwindled as it progressed>

First Known Use of COMMENCEMENT

13th century

Related to COMMENCEMENT

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

close, conclusion, end, ending, omega

Related Words

drawing board, first base, ground zero, square one; creation, founding, inauguration, initiation, institution, origination; cradle, fountain, fountainhead, germ, origin, root, seedbed, source, spring, well, wellspring; dawning, opening; advent, appearance, arrival, debut (also début), emergence; childhood, infancy, youth

Near Antonyms

cessation, closing, closure, completion, finale, finish, period, stop, termination, windup

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis