commencing

American  

[kuh-men-sing] / kəˈmɛn sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act, fact, or time of starting or beginning.

   From the commencing of his career as a painter, his prime concerns have been people's pain and longing and the beauty of nature.

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adjective

1. starting; beginning.

   She became a Junior Assistant in the local public library at a commencing salary of $45 a week—not bad for those days.

Etymology

Origin of commencing

First recorded in 1580–90; commenc(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; commenc(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

Reports indicate SpaceX is targeting a June listing with trading commencing shortly after.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

The U.K. plans to launch a new July 2036 gilt via syndication on the week commencing April 13.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Also, it’s commencing a structurally stronger earnings cycle, with margin expansion expected to be aided by drivers including higher contribution from complex and differentiated formulations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

The NBA said in a statement to The Times that “we are aware of this morning’s media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

It was then that the prosecution began its exam-ination of expert witnesses commencing with the long-suffering Professor Murray, its supposed expert in communism who had proved so inept in his subject during the preparatory examination.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• arising
• beginning
• starting
• stemming