Commencement

Pronunciation

Origin

French commencement.

Full definition of commencement

Noun

1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start.The time of Henry VII ... nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed modern history. -allam.1800, William Took, View of the Russian empire during the reign of Catharine the Second
2. Yet from the commencement of mining there have been unnoble proprietors of mines, who belonged to the class of merchants.
3. The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.
4. A graduation ceremony, from a school, college or university.

Related terms

• commence

Coordinate terms

• (graduation ceremony) convocation