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
Other commencement speakers who have brought up the sweeping changes that artificial intelligence is driving are also facing boos from the Class of 2026.
—
Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 20 May 2026
The commencement was held on a day with scorching heat and there was little shade available as the crowd waited for the ceremony to begin.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Social media is roaring with support for a couple who got engaged during the UC Davis School of Medicine commencement ceremony over the weekend.
—Reeti Malhotra
updated May 20, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
This will be the AFA's 68th commencement ceremony.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commencement
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Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 20 May 2026
The commencement was held on a day with scorching heat and there was little shade available as the crowd waited for the ceremony to begin.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Social media is roaring with support for a couple who got engaged during the UC Davis School of Medicine commencement ceremony over the weekend.
—Reeti Malhotra
updated May 20, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
This will be the AFA's 68th commencement ceremony.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 20 May 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 21 May. 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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