commencement

play

noun com·mence·ment \ kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt \

Definition of commencement

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.

See commencement defined for English-language learners

See commencement defined for kids

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 of commencement from the Web

Several Naperville residents were among more than 7,000 students who received degrees during the University of Wisconsin-Madison's spring commencement ceremonies.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville People in the News," 30 Aug. 2017
In May, Trump delivered the commencement address to Liberty’s Class of 2017.

— samantha schmidt, Washington Post, "Liberty University graduates return diplomas because of support for Trump by Jerry Falwell Jr.," 21 Aug. 2017
Universities sponsor separate orientations, dormitories, and commencements for identity groups.

— michael barone, National Review, "What Identity Politics Hath Wrought," 18 Aug. 2017
Former State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan delivered an inspiring commencement address.

— jennifer brett, ajc, "James Brown’s granddaughter makes history," 18 Aug. 2017
Authorities say the teens, both Northwest High School seniors, drove to a location expecting to meet someone who wanted to buy a commencement ticket.

— baltimoresun.com, "3 indicted in fatal shooting of Maryland teens on eve of graduation," 14 July 2017
St. Paul's, one of the country's most selective boarding schools, learned about the game just before the June 4 commencement and launched an internal investigation.

— CBS News, "Elite prep school investigates report of new sexual conquest game," 30 June 2017
Read Marvin Wright's full speech here: Good evening to all who are gathered on today for the commencement of Southwest High School’s 2017 graduating class.

— katie reilly, Essence.com, "School Withholds Student's Diploma After He Gives Unsanctioned Graduation Speech," 16 June 2017
Friday’s talk was a curtain-raiser, preceding the Dalai Lama’s commencement speech at UC San Diego on Saturday.

— peter rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "At UC San Diego, the Dalai Lama calls for a 'peaceful century' fueled by compassion, dialogue," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'commencement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.