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.

GMP said the investigation into Sharples commenced after investigative lines of inquiry "consistently" revealed evidence contrary to what had been disclosed by her.

From BBC

Now, writers are poised to commence another round of bargaining with the major studios on a new three-year film and TV contract.

From Los Angeles Times

"Members of the public pulled a 66-year-old man and 64-year-old woman from the water and commenced CPR," New South Wales Police said.

From BBC

The action commenced in 2022, just before the Legacy Act banned new civil claims related to the Troubles, although this is in the process of being reversed.

From BBC

The report is said to have included instructions to use "undisclosed investigation methods" and then "commence observations".

From BBC

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