'Commencement' definitions:
Definition of 'commencement'
(from WordNet)
noun
The time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her" [syn: beginning, commencement, first, outset, get-go, start, kickoff, starting time, showtime, offset] [ant: end, ending, middle]
noun
An academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred [syn: commencement, commencement exercise, commencement ceremony, graduation, graduation exercise]
noun
Definition of 'Commencement'
From: GCIDE
- Commencement \Com*mence"ment\, n. [F. commencement.]
- 1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start. [1913 Webster]
- The time of Henry VII. . . . nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed "modern history." --Hallam. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'commencement'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- A,
- alpha,
- baccalaureate service,
- beginning,
- birth,
- blast-off,
- celebration,
- ceremonial,
- ceremony,
- conception,
- convocation,
- creation,
- cutting edge,
- dawn,
- dawning,
- derivation,
- edge,
- empty formality,
- establishment,
- exercise,
- exercises,
- flying start,
- formal,
- formality,
- foundation,
- fresh start,
- function,
- genesis,
- graduation,
- graduation exercises,
- grass roots,
- head,
- inaugural,
- inauguration,
- inception,
- initiation,
- institution,
- jump-off,
- kick-off,
- leading edge,
- liturgy,
- mummery,
- new departure,
- observance,
- office,
- oncoming,
- onset,
- opening,
- origin,
- original,
- origination,
- outbreak,
- outset,
- outstart,
- performance,
- provenience,
- radical,
- radix,
- religious ceremony,
- rise,
- rite,
- rite de passage,
- rite of passage,
- ritual,
- root,
- running start,
- send-off,
- service,
- setting in motion,
- setting-up,
- solemnity,
- solemnization,
- source,
- square one,
- start,
- start-off,
- starting point,
- stem,
- stock,
- take-off,
- taproot