commencement
13 synonyms for commencement, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The beginning or start of something (formal).
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
get-go
kickoff
starting time
graduation exercise
commencement exercise
commencement ceremony
How to use commencement
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
commencement speech
commencement ceremony
commencement of business
Etymology
From French commencement, formed from commence + -ment.
Full origin of commencement →Frequently asked questions
What does “commencement” mean?
The word “commencement” means the beginning or start of something (formal). In plain terms, a formal beginning, or (in the US especially) a graduation ceremony.
How do you pronounce “commencement”?
“Commencement” is pronounced kuh-MEHNS-muhnt (/kəˈmɛnsmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “commencement” in a sentence?
Here is “commencement” used in a sentence: “The commencement of the project was delayed by permit issues.”
What part of speech is “commencement”?
“Commencement” is a noun.
Where does the word “commencement” come from?
The word “commencement” comes from French. From French commencement, formed from commence + -ment.
Is “commencement” a common word?
“Commencement” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “commencement” have?
“Commencement” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the beginning or start of something (formal).
