Meaning & use
commencement
The formal beginning of something, such as an activity, process, or ceremony.
See it in a sentence
Work on the bridge is scheduled for commencement early next spring.
Thousands of family members attended the university's commencement to watch the graduates walk.
A note on using this word
In American English, commencement most often refers specifically to a graduation ceremony, not just any beginning.
Words with a similar meaning
startonset
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
conclusionend
Make it your own
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