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Definition of commencement

commencement

/kəˈmɛns.mənt/
com · mence · ment
Plural:commencements
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commencement Lexical Profile

commencement Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A beginning or start, especially of a formal process, project, or period of activity.

Example

"The official commencement of the construction project was delayed by two weeks due to permit issues."

2

North American A ceremony in which academic degrees or diplomas are conferred upon graduating students.

Example

"Thousands of proud family members gathered in the stadium to attend the university's spring commencement."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for commencement
Antonyms
View all antonyms for commencement

Word Nuance & Usage

Learners often find it counterintuitive that 'commencement' means both 'beginning' and 'graduation'; in academic contexts, the ceremony marks the beginning of a graduate's life and career after school rather than the end of their studies.

• Rhymes for commencement

• Nearby Words

commemorative
commemoratively
commence
commencement
commend
commendable
commendably

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'comencement', from the verb 'comencier' (to begin), ultimately from Vulgar Latin '*cominitiare', a compound of Latin 'com-' (intensive prefix) and 'initiare' (to begin or initiate).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Commencement. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/commencement
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