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
Universities should resist canceling events that could be perceived as censorship, especially one as high-profile as a commencement speech, said Zach Greenberg, a first amendment attorney with the national Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
—
John Antczak and Julie Watson, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2024
The University of Southern California has canceled a student valedictorian's commencement speech out of safety concerns concerning her pro-Palestinian views.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024
There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Most of the work is expected to begin after the May 11 commencement.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Her father even served as the commencement speaker that year, according to the Hartford Courant.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024
However, a debtor may then claim an exemption for property which is protected by either the Bankruptcy Code or the law of the state where the debtor is resident at the commencement of the bankruptcy case.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
The official commencement of negotiations helps satisfy the state Department of Housing and Community Development’s mandate that Del Mar have a plan to provide homes for lower-income residents.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024
The new year marks the commencement of insightful dialogues surrounding emerging trends, innovative technologies, progressive business strategies and engaging interviews with esteemed industry leaders.
—Timothy Britt, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
John Antczak and Julie Watson, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2024
The University of Southern California has canceled a student valedictorian's commencement speech out of safety concerns concerning her pro-Palestinian views.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024
There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Most of the work is expected to begin after the May 11 commencement.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Her father even served as the commencement speaker that year, according to the Hartford Courant.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024
However, a debtor may then claim an exemption for property which is protected by either the Bankruptcy Code or the law of the state where the debtor is resident at the commencement of the bankruptcy case.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
The official commencement of negotiations helps satisfy the state Department of Housing and Community Development’s mandate that Del Mar have a plan to provide homes for lower-income residents.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024
The new year marks the commencement of insightful dialogues surrounding emerging trends, innovative technologies, progressive business strategies and engaging interviews with esteemed industry leaders.
—Timothy Britt, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'commencement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near commencement
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commencement. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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