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

Universities become lifelong partners in human development rather than institutions that conclude their work at commencement. — David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The students booing artificial intelligence at commencements across the country are not just worried about jobs. — Mark Bardeen Andrejevic, Washington Post, 10 July 2026

Bill Clinton, who was giving that day’s commencement address, praised El-Sayed in his own remarks. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

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

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