commencement

/kəmˈɛnsmənt/ · 3 syllables

Meaning

noun

1. the time at which something is supposed to begin
   “they got an early start”
2. an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred
3. the act of starting something
   “he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations”

Synonyms for commencement

• beginning
• first
• outset
• get-go
• start
• kickoff
• starting time
• showtime
• offset
• commencement exercise
• commencement ceremony
• graduation
• graduation exercise