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

Debbie Allen The prolific actress will be this year's commencement speaker on May 18 at Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black university in Atlanta. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

With dozens of memorable movie and television performances over the decades, Winkler is returning to Emerson to deliver a commencement address to the school's graduating class on May 9. —Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Jason Reitman has been set to deliver the commencement address during this year’s graduation ceremony for the USC School of Cinematic Arts. —Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026

Biden, an undergraduate alum of the University of Delaware, delivered the commencement address at his law school in 1994, 2002, 2006 and 2016. —Max Rego, The Hill, 14 Apr. 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