Search Result for "commencement": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (3)

1. the time at which something is supposed to begin;
- Example: "they got an early start"
- Example: "she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her"
[syn: beginning, commencement, first, outset, get-go, start, kickoff, starting time, showtime, offset]

2. an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred;
[syn: commencement, commencement exercise, commencement ceremony, graduation, graduation exercise]

3. the act of starting something;
- Example: "he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations"
[syn: beginning, start, commencement]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Commencement \Com*mence"ment\, n. [F. commencement.]
   1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of
      commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start.
      [1913 Webster]

            The time of Henry VII. . . . nearly coincides with
            the commencement of what is termed "modern history."
                                                  --Hallam.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and
      universities upon students and others.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

commencement
    n 1: 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" [syn: beginning, commencement, first,
         outset, get-go, start, kickoff, starting time,
         showtime, offset] [ant: end, ending, middle]
    2: an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred [syn:
       commencement, commencement exercise, commencement
       ceremony, graduation, graduation exercise]
    3: the act of starting something; "he was responsible for the
       beginning of negotiations" [syn: beginning, start,
       commencement] [ant: finish, finishing]