n. | 1. | The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start. |
2. | The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others. |
Noun | 1. | commencement - 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" |
2. | commencement - an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred | |
3. | commencement - the act of starting something; "he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations" |