commencement

American  

[kuh-mens-muhnt] / kəˈmɛns mənt /

noun

1. an act or instance of commencing; beginning.

   the commencement of hostilities.

2. the ceremony of conferring degrees or granting diplomas at the end of the academic year.

3. the day on which this ceremony takes place.

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commencement British  

/ kəˈmɛnsmənt /

noun

1. the beginning; start

2. 1. a ceremony for the presentation of awards at secondary schools

   2. a ceremony for the conferment of academic degrees

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Other Word Forms

• noncommencement noun
• recommencement noun

Etymology

Origin of commencement

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French; equivalent to commence + -ment

Example Sentences

About a month after her commencement speech, she was pitching a Harker student for a check.

From The Wall Street Journal

The earlier commencement of the holiday retail season, commonly referred to as “Christmas creep,” has long influenced Madison Avenue’s holiday ad strategies.

From The Wall Street Journal

He once delivered 15 commencement addresses in nine days.

From The Wall Street Journal

Both positions will take effect from the planned business commencement on April 1, they said.

From The Wall Street Journal

After graduating at the top of his class, and earning his master of architecture degree a year early, Naidorf skipped his commencement ceremony to interview at powerhouse architecture firm Welton Becket and Associates.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• convocation
• dawning
• graduation
• initiation
• kickoff
• onset
• outset