commencement

Plural: commencements

Noun

• the time at which something is supposed to begin
• an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred
• the act of starting something
• The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; the beginning.
• The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.
• A graduation ceremony, from a school, college or university. Sometimes before the actual graduation.

Examples

• The time of Henry VII nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed modern history.

Synonyms

beginning, commencement ceremony, commencement exercise, first, get-go, graduation, graduation exercise, kickoff, offset, outset, showtime, start, starting time, dawn, origin, rise

Antonyms

end, finish, middle

Related Words

commence