commencement
gb/kəmˈɛnsmənt/ us/kəmˈɛnsmənt/
B2
English
~ 5800
diplomaosztó ünnepség, oklevélátadó ünnepség, kezdet, megkezdés, kezdőnap, hatálybalépés napja
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a commencement ceremony at [a school/university]
Family members flew in from all over the country to attend her college commencement.
A családtagjai az ország minden részéből odarepültek, hogy részt vegyenek a főiskolai diplomaosztó ünnepségén.
The governor delivered the commencement address to a packed football stadium.
A kormányzó a zsúfolásig megtelt futballstadionban tartotta a diplomaosztó ünnepi beszédét.
It rained during the outdoor commencement ceremony, but everyone stayed to see the graduates walk.
He missed his high school commencement because he was already training with the national team.
Tickets to the university's spring commencement are limited to the graduates' immediate families.
Learner examples
Her parents came to her university commencement.
A szülei eljöttek az egyetemi diplomaosztójára.
The president of the school gave a long commencement speech.
Az intézmény elnöke hosszú beszédet mondott a diplomaosztón.
I cried when my son walked across the stage at commencement.
Our class is planning a party after commencement.
My grandparents watched my commencement on live video.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "commencement" means only the beginning of studies. In American English, when used alone, it almost always refers to the graduation ceremony at the end of a degree. Another mistake is using it as a verb (e.g., *we will commencement next week*); the correct verb is "commence."
Meaning
formal graduation ceremony at a school
Collocations
commencement ceremony
|commencement address
|commencement speech
|commencement exercises
|high school commencement
|college commencement
Synonyms
graduation (ceremony) (The most common everyday term; slightly less formal and more widely understood than "commencement" outside North America.)
Antonyms
matriculation (Matriculation marks official entry into a program of study, while commencement marks its completion and the awarding of degrees.)
Themes
education
|events
|culture
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A formal event at a school or university where students receive their degrees or diplomas.
A formal ceremony, especially at a college or university, at which students receive their academic degrees or diplomas.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
the commencement of [an event/period/activity]
The treaty marked the commencement of a long period of peace.
A szerződés egy hosszú békeidőszak kezdetét jelentette.
There were high hopes at the commencement of the new government’s term.
Az új kormány hivatali idejének kezdetén sokan nagy reményeket fűztek hozzá.
All staff must attend the safety briefing at the commencement of the shift.
The film was confusing at the commencement, but it became clearer later.
Severe storms delayed the commencement of construction by several weeks.
Learner examples
There was a big party at the commencement of the festival.
A fesztivál kezdetén nagy buli volt.
We were all nervous at the commencement of the game.
A meccs kezdetén mindannyian idegesek voltunk.
The teacher spoke at the commencement of the new school year.
The noise stopped at the commencement of the speech.
Snow at the commencement of winter caused many problems.
Common mistake:
Learners often overuse "commencement" instead of the more natural word "beginning" in everyday speech. "Commencement" is mostly used in formal writing or set phrases like "at the commencement of the meeting" or "the commencement of the war." In casual conversation, "start" or "beginning" is usually better.
Meaning
the start or beginning of something
Collocations
at the commencement of
|from the commencement of
|commencement of hostilities
|commencement of operations
|commencement of the war
|commencement of the project
Synonyms
beginning ("Beginning" is the normal, everyday word; "commencement" sounds more formal, official, or literary.)
Antonyms
end (If commencement is the starting point of something, the end is when it finishes or stops.)
Themes
time
|formal
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The time when something starts.
The beginning or first part of an event, process, period of time, or activity.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
kezdőnap
B2
Usage pattern:
the commencement date of [a law/contract/employment]
Your salary will be reviewed twelve months after the commencement of your employment.
A fizetését a munkaviszonya kezdetétől számított tizenkét hónap elteltével felülvizsgálják.
The parties agreed to delay the commencement date of the lease by three months.
A felek megállapodtak abban, hogy a bérleti szerződés kezdőnapját három hónappal elhalasztják.
Under this Act, the commencement of the new regulations is 1 January 2026.
Any work carried out prior to the commencement of the contract will not be paid for.
The company must obtain all permits before the commencement of construction activities.
Learner examples
The commencement date of my new job is March 1st.
Az új munkaviszonyom kezdőnapja március 1.
Please sign the form before the commencement of the contract.
Kérjük, írja alá az űrlapot a szerződés hatálybalépése előtt.
The law has a commencement date next year.
We moved into the house one week after the commencement of the lease.
They will train new staff before the commencement of work on the site.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "commencement date" with the date they sign the document. In legal and business contexts, the commencement date is the date when the law, job, or contract actually starts to have effect, which may be different from the signing date.
Meaning
start date of law or contract
Collocations
commencement date
|on commencement of employment
|upon commencement of
|from the date of commencement
|prior to commencement
|following commencement
Synonyms
effective date (Common in legal and business documents; often interchangeable, but "commencement" can sound more formal or legislative.)
Antonyms
expiration date (The expiration date is when a contract or law stops being in effect, which contrasts with the commencement date when it starts.)
Themes
law
|business
|work
Definition
The date when a law, contract, or job officially starts.
The date or point in time at which a law, contract, employment, or other official arrangement comes into force or starts to operate.
Grammar
Dictionary form
commencement
IPA
GB/kəmˈɛnsmənt/
US/kəmˈɛnsmənt/
Syllables & stress
com - mence - ment (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mence)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: commencement
- Plural: commencement, commencements
Word family
Forms
commencements
noun
Core family
commence
verb B2
Advanced or less common
recommence
verb
recommencement
noun
Expressions
at the commencement of
1/ˈæt ðə kəmˈɛnsmənt əv/
fixed phrase
formal
at the beginning of something
At the time when something starts.
Examples
- Instructions will be given at the commencement of the exam.
- New safety rules were introduced at the commencement of the project.
commencement address
1/kəmˈɛnsmənt ˈædɹˌɛs/
fixed phrase
speech at a graduation ceremony
A formal speech given during a commencement ceremony, usually by a special guest or school leader.
Examples
- The author gave an inspiring commencement address about finding your own path.
- She was invited back to her college to deliver the commencement address.
commencement ceremony
1/kəmˈɛnsmənt sˈɛɹɪmˌoʊni/
fixed phrase
formal event giving degrees
A formal school or university event where graduating students receive their degrees or diplomas.
Examples
- The university holds its main commencement ceremony in the football stadium.
- Guests must have tickets to enter the commencement ceremony.
commencement date
1/kəmˈɛnsmənt dˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
official start date of agreement
The official date when a law, contract, lease, or job starts.
Examples
- The commencement date of the lease is listed on the first page of the agreement.
- Please confirm the commencement date of your employment in writing.
commencement exercises
1/kəmˈɛnsmənt ˈɛksɚsˌaɪzɪz/
fixed phrase
formal graduation activities and rituals
All the formal parts of a graduation ceremony, such as speeches and giving degrees.
Examples
- The high school will hold its commencement exercises on June 4th.
- Commencement exercises will begin promptly at 10 a.m.
commencement speech
1/kəmˈɛnsmənt spˈit͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
speech given to graduates
A speech that someone gives to students who are graduating, usually at a commencement ceremony.
Examples
- Her commencement speech went viral after someone posted it online.
- He practiced his commencement speech many times before the ceremony.