commence

American

[kuh-mens] / kəˈmɛns /

verb (used with or without object)

commenced, commencing

to begin; start.

Synonyms:

originate, initiate, inaugurate

commence British

/ kəˈmɛns /

verb

to start or begin; come or cause to come into being, operation, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See begin.

Other Word Forms

commenceable adjective
commencer noun
recommence verb

Etymology

Origin of commence

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English commencen, from Anglo-French, Middle French comencer, from unrecorded Vulgar Latin cominitiāre, equivalent to Latin com- com- + initiāre “to begin”; initiate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“If the requested relief is not granted, the harm to the public and to competition in the market for broadcast television licensing would commence immediately,” the states said.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’m happy to report we’ll commence shooting season three this summer, and that a rising tide has indeed lifted all boats in season one under the 3.0 tax program,” he added.

From Los Angeles Times

But it is unlikely, as it strategised ahead of commencing the attacks on Iran, that the US fully foresaw some of these economic consequences.

From BBC

He swung up on the flatcar and commenced feeding stove lengths into the Agitator.

From Literature

"This project will take significant time and investment. However, we are now commencing this important work," the spokeswoman added.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023