/ kəˈmensmənt; NAmE / noun [ U , C , usually sing. ]
1.
( formal ) beginning :
the commencement of the financial year
2.
( NAmE ) a ceremony at which students receive their academic degrees or diplomas
SYN graduation
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French , from the verb commencier , based on Latin com- (expressing intensive force) + initiare begin.