commencement

UK: /kəˈmɛnsmənt/ US: /kəˈmɛnsmənt/ ,(kə mens′mənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•mence•ment /kəˈmɛnsmənt/   n. 

1. [uncountable] an act of commencing:
   commencement of hostilities.
2. Education the ceremony of awarding degrees at the end of the academic year:
   [uncountable] Will I see you at commencement?
   [countable] The famous poet was asked to speak at several commencements this year.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•mence•ment  (kə mens′mənt), n. 

1. an act or instance of commencing;
   beginning:
   the commencement of hostilities.
2. the ceremony of conferring degrees or granting diplomas at the end of the academic year.
3. the day on which this ceremony takes place.

• Anglo-French, Old French. See commence, -ment
• Middle English 1225–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

commencement / kəˈmɛnsmənt/ noun

1. the beginning; start
2. a ceremony for the presentation of awards at secondary schools
3. a ceremony for the conferment of academic degrees