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Added 9 October 2026

commence

/kəˈmɛns/ verb

Latin root: com Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about commence at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action.
We began working at dawn
Set in motion, cause to start.
The U.S. started a war in the Middle East
Get off the ground.
Who started this company?

Origin

From Middle English commencen, comencen (also as contracted comsen, cumsen), from Anglo-Norman comencer, from Vulgar Latin *cominitiāre, formed from Latin com- + initiō (whence English initiate).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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