commencement
formal graduation ceremony at a school
A formal event at a school or university where students receive their degrees or diplomas.
a commencement ceremony at [a school/university]
- Family members flew in from all over the country to attend her college commencement.
- The governor delivered the commencement address to a packed football stadium.
- 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.
- Her parents came to her university commencement.
- The president of the school gave a long commencement speech.
- 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.
the start or beginning of something
The time when something starts.
the commencement of [an event/period/activity]
- The treaty marked the commencement of a long period of peace.
- There were high hopes at the commencement of the new government’s term.
- 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.
- There was a big party at the commencement of the festival.
- We were all nervous at the commencement of the game.
- 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.
start date of law or contract
The date when a law, contract, or job officially starts.
the commencement date of [a law/contract/employment]
- Your salary will be reviewed twelve months after the commencement of your employment.
- The parties agreed to delay the commencement date of the lease by three months.
- 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.
- The commencement date of my new job is March 1st.
- Please sign the form before the commencement of the contract.
- 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.
- Base: commencement
- Plural: commencement, commencements
at the commencement of
1at the beginning of something
At the time when something starts.
- Instructions will be given at the commencement of the exam.
- New safety rules were introduced at the commencement of the project.
commencement address
1speech at a graduation ceremony
A formal speech given during a commencement ceremony, usually by a special guest or school leader.
- 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
1formal event giving degrees
A formal school or university event where graduating students receive their degrees or diplomas.
- The university holds its main commencement ceremony in the football stadium.
- Guests must have tickets to enter the commencement ceremony.
commencement date
1official start date of agreement
The official date when a law, contract, lease, or job starts.
- 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
1formal graduation activities and rituals
All the formal parts of a graduation ceremony, such as speeches and giving degrees.
- The high school will hold its commencement exercises on June 4th.
- Commencement exercises will begin promptly at 10 a.m.
commencement speech
1speech given to graduates
A speech that someone gives to students who are graduating, usually at a commencement ceremony.
- Her commencement speech went viral after someone posted it online.
- He practiced his commencement speech many times before the ceremony.