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

• 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

Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker spoke at a college commencement in 2024 and told the women that they have been told lies about their futures and probably were more excited about being wives and mothers than taking on careers. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025

Help not wanted A graduating student of the City College of New York wears a message on his cap during the College's commencement ceremony in the Harlem section of Manhattan. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025

Larissa Brady, 53, died by suicide during the university’s spring commencement ceremony in May 2024. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025

Huang recounted during a commencement speech at the California Institute of Technology last year. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025

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