commencement

noun

com·mence·ment kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt

Synonyms of commencement

: an act, instance, or time of commencing

They awaited the commencement of the trial.

: the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas

A Nobel Prize winner will speak at the commencement.

: 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

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.

With the acclaim came the awards, the invitations to give commencement speeches, the honorary degrees, the chance to perform before thousands of fans at big-time sports events. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026 In a 1991 commencement speech at Georgia Tech, Brian Dyson told students to imagine life as a game of juggling five balls — work, family, health, friends and spirit. — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026 In May, college graduates entering a workforce where the technology is the primary reason for job cuts met commencement speakers hailing the AI revolution—including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt at the University of Arizona—with boos. — Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 College students booed mentions of AI during commencement ceremonies this spring. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 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

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

commence

commencement

commend

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commencement. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

commencement

noun

com·mence·ment kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt

: an act, instance, or time of commencing

: the ceremonies or the day for presenting degrees or diplomas to graduates of a school or college

commencement

noun

Synonyms of commencement

Examples of commencement in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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