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

Torres completed her coursework last December and will participate in CSUF’s commencement ceremony this month. —Jenelyn Russo, Oc Register, 27 May 2026

Zach Hrynowski is a senior researcher at Gallup and was not surprised to see commencement speakers being booed. —David Wade, CBS News, 27 May 2026

Before delivering his now-viral commencement speech for the Kansas City Art Institute on May 16, Jeremy Scott wasn’t sure how his words were going to land. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 27 May 2026

In fact, there hasn’t been this much outrage over an NFL player’s off-field behavior since Harrison Butker's commencement speech in 2024, encouraging young women to consider motherhood. —Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 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