commencement
noun
com·mence·ment
kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt 
1
: an act, instance, or time of commencing
They awaited the commencement of the trial.
2
a
: the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas
A Nobel Prize winner will speak at the commencement.
b
: the period of activities at this time
Commencement will kick off with a family reception followed by a banquet.
Examples of commencement in a Sentence
A poet will speak at the commencement.
there was a large turnout at the commencement of the conference, but the numbers dwindled as it progressed
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time, Hurlbut said young people are notably suspicious of AI and pointed out that this spring, several commencement speakers who cited the technology drew boos at graduation ceremonies in Arizona, Florida and Tennessee.
—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
While delivering the New York University 2022 commencement address at Yankee Stadium, Swift received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the university.
—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
Nationwide, college students worried about their job prospects booed AI at commencement ceremonies.
—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
The institutions that would be wise to pay attention are not just the ones whose CEOs walk into hostile commencement halls.
—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for commencement
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Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
While delivering the New York University 2022 commencement address at Yankee Stadium, Swift received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the university.
—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
Nationwide, college students worried about their job prospects booed AI at commencement ceremonies.
—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
The institutions that would be wise to pay attention are not just the ones whose CEOs walk into hostile commencement halls.
—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for commencement
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commencement. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commencement
noun
com·mence·ment
kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt
1
: an act, instance, or time of commencing
2
: the ceremonies or the day for presenting degrees or diplomas to graduates of a school or college
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