commencement
/kəˈmɛnsm(ə)nt
/noun
1The beginning of something: the commencement of the trial [mass noun]: the date of commencement...
- Mr Bradley also refused to be drawn on a deadline for the commencement or a finishing date for the road.
- That date has two significances, but, critically, it is the date of the commencement of the new preference regime.
- They both urged their members to remain calm as they waited for management to set dates for the commencement of negotiations.
Synonyms
beginning, start, starting point, opening, outset, onset, launch, initiation, inception, birth, dawn, origin;
day one
informal kick-off
2North American A ceremony in which degrees or diplomas are conferred on university or high-school students: [as modifier]: a commencement address...
- They captured him speaking at the commencement ceremony at Harvard University.
- Asian University hosted its annual commencement ceremony last week.
- I had the honor of addressing a commencement class today at Harvard University Law School.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French, from the verb commencier (see commence).