commencement

[kuh-mens-muhnt]

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.

commencement

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• noncommencement noun
• recommencement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of commencement¹

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

Example Sentences

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

Huang has said in public comments, including commencement speeches, that adversity can help people become better leaders.

From Los Angeles Times

Nationalists criticized any possible hint of anti-communist leanings at the school, such as not prominently displaying the Vietnamese flag at commencement.

From Los Angeles Times

“People were trying to make it work,” said Melvoin, who spoke at the commencement, joking in his speech that the Bowl could be dubbed “Pali East.”

From Los Angeles Times

At Harvard's commencement ceremonies on Thursday, students said there was a "palpable concern" on campus.

From BBC

Related Words

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