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

Gerry Byrne, vice chairman of Variety parent company PMC and a longtime media business executive, will be recognized by his alma mater, New York’s Fordham University, with an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 16. —William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

Columbia University called in the NYPD twice, saw an academic building occupied, shifted to hybrid instruction, and ultimately canceled commencement. —Jason Jewell, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

Chirino received the honor on Monday afternoon during commencement at FIU’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center on the main Modesto Maidique Campus. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026

Allen also earned a master’s degree in computer science at California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to a commencement program. —Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 27 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