commencement

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

1. The time at which something is supposed to begin.

   they got an early start

2. An academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred.
3. The act of starting something.

   he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations