Definition of commencement
1
: an act, instance, or time of commencing
They awaited the commencement of the trial.
2a
: 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.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for commencement
The first known use of commencement was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century