commencement

Definition of Commencement in English :

the time at which something is supposed to begin

Example Sentences:
'they got an early start'
'she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her'

an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred

3. beginning, commencement, start

the act of starting something

Example Sentences:
'he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Commencement

noun

1.

the beginning; start

2.

a. US and Canadian

a ceremony for the presentation of awards at secondary schools

b. US

a ceremony for the conferment of academic degrees

noun

1.

the act or time of commencing; beginning; start

2.

the ceremonies at which degrees or diplomas are conferred at a school or college

3.

the day when this takes place

n.

1. A beginning; a start.

2.

a. A ceremony at which academic degrees or diplomas are conferred.

b. The day on which such a ceremony occurs.