commencement

noun

com·​mence·​ment kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt How to pronounce commencement (audio)
Synonyms of commencementnext
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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Snoop Dogg is set to deliver the 2025 commencement address at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business graduation ceremony as announced by the university on Tuesday (March 25). — Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Usher is set to deliver the keynote address at Emory University’s 180th commencement this spring when the R&B legend takes the podium at the graduation on May 12. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025 This the same woman whose 1969 Wellesley commencement address was a paean to youthful dissent, searching, and renewal. — Matthew Continetti, National Review, 8 Feb. 2025 Back in May, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker faced zero professional repercussions for spouting off all sorts of hateful rhetoric about the LGBTQ+ community and working women during a commencement speech at Kansas’s Benedictine College. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commencement

Word History

Etymology

see commence

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of commencement was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

commence
commencement
commend
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Cite this Entry

“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commencement. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

commencement

noun
com·​mence·​ment kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt How to pronounce commencement (audio)
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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