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.
Synonyms
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
Morehouse College President David Thomas speaks during Morehouse College’s graduation ceremony, before US President Joe Biden delivers his commencement address, in Atlanta, Georgia on May 19, 2024.
—
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
Since the commencement of his second term, hundreds of undocumented immigrants have been arrested.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Eligible graduating students must register to participate in spring commencement.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 28 Jan. 2025
At the start of 1981, Collin moved to Washington to work in the Tribune’s D.C. bureau, covering Congress at the commencement of a new presidential administration.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for commencement 
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Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
Since the commencement of his second term, hundreds of undocumented immigrants have been arrested.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Eligible graduating students must register to participate in spring commencement.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 28 Jan. 2025
At the start of 1981, Collin moved to Washington to work in the Tribune’s D.C. bureau, covering Congress at the commencement of a new presidential administration.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for commencement
Dictionary Entries Near commencement
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commencement. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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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