commencement
noun
com·mence·ment
kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt 
1
: an act, instance, or time of commencing
They awaited the commencement of the trial.
2
a
: the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas
A Nobel Prize winner will speak at the commencement.
b
: the period of activities at this time
Commencement will kick off with a family reception followed by a banquet.
Synonyms
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
Last spring, pro-Palestinian tent encampments crowded schools and disrupted commencement plans, drawing accusations of antisemitism and prompting new limits.
—
Annie Ma, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024
Aside from sports contests, the venue has already hosted concerts, commencements for local universities and large networking events.
—Daniele Proch, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The event at Fifth Third Arena attracted more than 12,500 fans and ended with a surprise commencement ceremony as the school’s president and athletic director gave each brother his diploma.
—Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Milwaukee chef and restaurateur Dan Jacobs will cook up a commencement speech for the University of Wisconsin-Madison this winter.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for commencement 
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Annie Ma, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024
Aside from sports contests, the venue has already hosted concerts, commencements for local universities and large networking events.
—Daniele Proch, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The event at Fifth Third Arena attracted more than 12,500 fans and ended with a surprise commencement ceremony as the school’s president and athletic director gave each brother his diploma.
—Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Milwaukee chef and restaurateur Dan Jacobs will cook up a commencement speech for the University of Wisconsin-Madison this winter.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for commencement
Dictionary Entries Near commencement
Cite this Entry
“Commencement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commencement. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commencement
noun
com·mence·ment
kə-ˈmen(t)s-mənt
1
: an act, instance, or time of commencing
2
: the ceremonies or the day for presenting degrees or diplomas to graduates of a school or college
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