commencement commencement /kəˈmɛnsmənt/

noun

1. The act of starting something  ( commencement , start , beginning )
   the act of starting something
    He was responsible for the beginning of negotiations
   he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations
   
2. An academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred  ( commencement , commencement ceremony , commencement exercise , graduation , graduation exercise )
   an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred
   
3. The time at which something is supposed to begin  ( commencement , get-go , offset , first , kickoff , outset , showtime , start , starting time , beginning )
   the time at which something is supposed to begin
    They got an early start
   they got an early start
    She knew from the get-go that he was the man for her
   she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her